NHS confident to make "dent" in North Essex vaccine backlog
Large Covid-19 vaccination centres in the area were shut for much of the week due to snow
The NHS trust which runs the large vaccination centres in North Essex is confident they will bounce back from vaccination delays caused by Storm Darcy.
Clacton Hospital's centre opened on Thursday (11 February) and the site at Colchester's Community Stadium reopens today (12 February).
While it may cause concern within priority groups whose bookings were impacted by the conditions, they are being asked not to worry as they won't miss out.
Pam Sabine, Director of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), which runs the centres, said: "We want to reassure everybody that anyone who has had their slot cancelled will be able to book another appointment. We are opening more slots towards the end of the week and over the weekend for as many people as possible."
The EPUT will accommodate the additional slots within the 8am-8pm opening hours for now.
Pam continued: "We do foresee being able to certainly make quite a dent in the backlog. If it becomes necessary, we would consider extending the opening hours."
Priority groups who have bookings for the coming days are being urged by EPUT to plan their journeys carefully and wrap up warm.
Appointments can be cancelled the day before and re-booked via the NHS national booking website or by calling 119.