Bournemouth International Centre reopens as vaccine clinic
Walk-ins are welcome this week - bookings start again from Monday
Any people still needing their first or second COVID-19 vaccination jab are being urged to book a slot at the vaccination centre in the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC).
The centre is now taking bookings for jabs from Monday (19 July) onwards, following a short break.
Staff will also be able to deliver a small number of walk-in vaccinations each day, and - before bookings resume - are running a drop-in service at the site between 11am and 6pm from Wednesday-Friday (14-16 July) this week.
This will be available for anyone aged 18 and over, offering both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines, and no appointment is needed.
With the Government relaxing most pandemic restrictions next week, vaccination take-up is more important than ever to minimise the risk of people falling seriously ill or even dying as a result of the virus.
Dorset recently passed the one million mark for doses delivered, with almost 100,000 of those taking place at the BIC since January.
The vaccination centre, run by Dorset HealthCare, is encouraging all adults who have yet to have their first or second jabs to make an appointment via the NHS national booking system or by calling 119.
COVID Services Manager Anna Chainey said:
"We will have provision for a small number of walk-in jabs each day from Monday, but booking a slot will mean you won't have to wait around.
"We would urge anyone 18 or over who has yet to be vaccinated, or who needs a follow-up dose, to make an appointment with us. The sooner everyone is protected, the sooner we will get out the pandemic."
The feedback from visitors about their experience when they came to the centre is extremely positive - 98 per cent of people responding to a follow-up survey said their experience was good or very good.
From 19 July, the centre will be open from 8am-8pm. Visitors coming by car can use the BIC multi-storey car park or council-run car parks nearby. Stewards will be on hand at the site to guide visitors and answer questions.
For more information about the vaccination centre and how to get there, visit www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/covid-19-vaccination-service.
The national booking system website will also allow you to book your jab at many other locations if the BIC is difficult for you to get to.
And you can find out about other walk-in vaccination opportunities around Dorset at www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/vaccinations/walk-in