Coronavirus: Second mass vaccination centre to open in Cornwall

A second vaccination centre will open on the Royal Cornwall Showground in continuing to fight against the pandemic.

From Monday (1 February), the vaccination centre at Wadebridge will open to the most vulnerable in Cornwall.

The site opens a week after it was announced that Stithians Showground would become the first large scale vaccination centre in the continued roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Iain Davidson, clinical lead for the vaccination centres and hospital hub, and chief pharmacist at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, said:

“This is further good news for Cornwall. The opening of this second vaccination centre will mean we will be able to protect even more people.

“We will continue to vaccinate the most vulnerable based on the priority groups set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI).

“People aged 70 and over, and adults of all ages who are the most vulnerable are also due to receive a letter inviting them to book an appointment as they are within the first four priority groups.

“Everyone across health and care, including the emergency services and volunteers, as well as those at the Royal Cornwall Showground, have put in a tremendous amount of effort to enable us to be ready for Monday, and I cannot thank them enough.”

Clinical Lead for Vaccination Centres and Hospital Hub, Iain Davidson

People will receive a letter when it is their turn to have the vaccine. Please do not contact the NHS to ask for a vaccine or show up to the showground without an appointment.

“The vaccination centres will add to the fantastic work that GPs and the primary care network have been doing in recent weeks.

“Health and care staff have been working tirelessly to ensure we deliver the vaccine safely and efficiently, and it has been a privilege to work with these people.

“Cornwall has shown great strength in staying home and protecting the NHS these last 12 months, and we ask the public for their continued support in following national guidelines.”

NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group Chairman, Iain Chorlton

While the addition the vaccination centre means the NHS can expand its rollout, this will take some time, so please be patient. The NHS will be in touch with you when it’s your turn.

Rachel Wigglesworth, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s director of Public Health added: “I’m delighted to welcome the opening of the second vaccination centre for Cornwall. Whilst the vaccine programme continues to roll out, we must keep up with all the good work we have been doing to limit the spread of the virus.

“It’s really important that you please continue to limit your contact with other people, even after you have received your vaccine. The vaccine does not mean that you are immune immediately, so we can’t start hugging each other just yet, or stop following social distancing guidelines. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but in the meantime, we must keep our guard up.”

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly's Director of Public Health, Rachel Wigglesworth

Chris Riddle, secretary for Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association, said: "We are very pleased that we can help with the national roll-out and provide a further vaccination site for Cornwall. It has been a difficult year for everyone, and the fact that we can give back to our community in this way has been a great privilege."

Royal Cornwall Show Secretary, Chris Riddle

Anyone attending an appointment at the vaccine centre will be greeted by volunteers who will marshal car parks and register them when they arrive. The centre has been organised to allow for social distancing.

They will receive a health check and a pre-vaccination assessment before the vaccine, and then be observed for 15 minutes afterwards.

Those who require extra support from a carer should have them attend the appointment but is asked this is kept to a maximum of one other person to maintain social distancing. Wheelchairs will be available for anyone who requires them, and disabled parking is available on site.

People attending their appointments should wear loose clothing to provide vaccinators easy access to the arm, and flat shoes.

Please ask someone, wherever possible, to drive you to and from the site. This will allow you to receive your jab and return to your day as quickly as possible, and will mean more people can be vaccinated at the centre.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, visit NHS Kernow’s dedicated COVID-19 vaccine page.