Dorset expands its Covid-19 booster vaccination programme
More vaccination sites are set to open in Dorset
Last updated 17th Dec 2021
Dorset people are encouraged to get their booster, first or second jab at a site near them as the health and care system expands its Covid-19 vaccination programme.The most vulnerable and at risk people (those aged over 70, clinically extremely vulnerable or working in health and care) have been receiving their booster jab since September and there has been 89% uptake. People who are housebound or live in care homes are being prioritised through a separate programme.
Now the NHS and its partners are pulling out all the stops to offer jabs to everyone who is eligible by 31 December and get the life-saving vaccine into the arms of everyone who takes up the offer.
We're being told the best way to find out where and when you can get your jab is to keep checking the NHS national booking system.
Dorset GP-led primary care networks (PCNs) and community pharmacies are providing thousands more appointment slots in the coming weeks, which may include some walk-in opportunities.
The county’s two current vaccination centres – at King’s Park Hospital, Bournemouth and Vespasian House, Dorchester – have extended their hours to offer more appointments with the aim of being open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. They will open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Two new centres should be open in the Poole area in the next week and work is underway to set up six further vaccination centres around the county which will also provide outreach pop-up clinics in a range of community locations.
These centres will be in Beaminster, Bournemouth, Bridport, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton and Weymouth.
Dawn Dawson, Director for Nursing, Therapies and Quality for Dorset HealthCare, which is running some of the vaccination centres, said:
“This is a massive team effort by healthcare organisations and partners to rapidly expand our vaccination offer for Dorset people.
“Everyone involved is doing an amazing job – working to find venues, recruiting, redeploying and training staff and pulling together the logistics for an incredibly complex and speedy operation.
“We’d like to encourage everyone to get their jab as soon as they can. Please be patient while we get everything organised. And most importantly please be kind and respectful to our fantastic staff and volunteers – they’ve once again stepped up to help protect everyone, even after the incredibly difficult two years we’ve all had.”