First Covid-19 vaccines given in Weymouth
Weymouth Hospital is one of 6 vaccination sites in the county
The Melcombe Day Hospital next to Weymouth Community Hospital took it's first delivery of the coronavirus vaccine yesterday. (15 December)
The hospital has been converted into a vaccine hub that will deliver up to 36 doses per hour to those in priority groups.
It marks the next phase of the NHS' vaccine roll-out with GPs now offering the service.
The first batch of vaccines arrived in unglamorous cardboard boxes less than 24 hours before the programme was due to start.
Five rooms inside the building have been converted to administer the vaccine, including one kitchen. A marquee has also been erected as a waiting room.
Sandra Maddison is the Business Manager for Weymouth and Portland Primary Care Network coordinating the programme and said:
"We've had to move at pace. It's been about a week we've had to get everything sorted. We've been able to do it because all the practices and our colleagues in community care have really worked together to deliver this for the patients of Weymouth and Portland.
"The first delivery is really exciting but everyone is aware that it is limited in number so that it can be spread throughout the country and people can start getting vaccinated.
"In Weymouth and Portland we have more people over 80 than we've got vaccines for this first time round.
"So the first time round we've had to just offer to some people within that group, again following government guidance, but everyone who wants it will eventually get it, it just may be a few weeks before we get some more vaccines."
Dr Rupert Turberville-Smith is a GP in Weymouth, and has been involved in organising the hub. He said:
"It feels like this is hopefully the beginning of the end of the COVID outbreak and so it's really exciting to be part of that.
"It really feels like it's a big step in the right direction and really the most important thing we could be doing as a medical intervention at this time.
"It feels like a bit of history, I guess, I don't want to over blow it, but it does feel quite significant step forward in what's been horrendous thing for us all to get through."