'Staff and volunteers are amazing' says councillor, who wants more people to get jabbed

Health staff and volunteers have been praised for the ongoing roll-out of the vaccination programme in Torbay

Nicci Hilson who is overseeing the Torbay vaccination programme with councillor Jermaine Atiya-Alla,
Author: Andrew KayPublished 31st Dec 2021

A Torbay councillor has praised the workers and volunteers at the Riviera Centre vaccination site - after a tour of the site which has now been operating for a year.

Councillor Jermaine Atiya-Alla, who represents Ellacombe, said he was impressed by the way the facility has been organised after meeting with those involved - but is urging more people to come forward to get the jab.

The centre says it can handle double the current numbers of people coming through the doors.

Since it opened, in December 2020, around a quarter of a million people have been jabbed.

The Riviera Centre can jab roughly 22,000 a day - both 'walks in' and pre-booked appointments - but are currently seeing just 13,000 each day between Christmas and New Year.

Some of the messages left to thank staff and volunteers have been placed on a board to help remind those involved about the difference they are making

A spokesperson for Devon's NHS has told people 'don’t be put off by the queues we had in the first week' adding that waiting times are now much shorter if at all at some times.

They added: "Our staff and volunteers have rallied round, working extra days over the Christmas break and we have the capacity to vaccinate everyone who is eligible.

"There are lots of walk ins and booked appointments – the best way to find them is online on the national booking system or the “find a walk in vaccination centre” site."

Thousands of volunteers and paid staff are also being recruited to support the delivery of the vaccine programme, and anyone interested in helping the NHS is being urged to visit ‘COVID vaccine team’ to find out more.

For more about how to book a jab click here

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