'Super Sunday' event planned to jab 2,000 people

Across Devon there's now 175 people in hospital with Covid, up a third in a fortnight

A vaccine being administered this week at Plymouth's Albion site
Author: Andrew KayPublished 7th Jan 2022
Last updated 7th Jan 2022

Today's the first in a series of pop-up vaccination clinics in Torbay - starting at Torquay's Acorn Centre - with a 'Super-Sunday' planned in Plymouth on Sunday.

NHS bosses tell us 90 per cent of those in intensive care haven't had a booster jab and 60 per cent are unvaccinated.

More than 1,000 NHS staff are currently off work due to Covid across Devon and this week Plymouth's Derriford Hospital declared a critical incident.

People are being urged to get jabbed to help reduce the pressure on the local NHS.

This weekend Plymouth's Albion ground are hosting a 'Super-Sunday' where they aim to jab 2,000 people.

Pharmacist Alex James is one of those helping out, saying: "There's pressure in every district of the country.

"There's lots of NHS areas where there's so many staff off, more people going to hospital.

"If there's people in beds and filling up wards then it's really important to be vaccinated and just reduce your risk of having severe Covid."

The site will have extra vaccinators and administrators on hand and be offering jabs from 9am-6pm to all ages - offering both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

The location was chosen as it's seen as fairly easy to reach across the city, where take up of the vaccine has been mixed across different areas.

Alongside the ongoing vaccine roll-out at the Torbay Riviera International Centre, pop up clinics are starting today from 11am-5pm.

Councillor Jackie Stockman, Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health at Torbay Council, said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to work with the Devon CCG to hold further pop-up clinics.

"The ones we ran in the autumn were hugely successful. It’s important that we’re able to offer these in venues close to areas where people live and work.

“We need to make it as easy as possible for everyone to access a vaccination clinic – whether it’s for a first, second or booster shot. Vaccines remain the strongest defence in our fight against COVID-19 and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet had theirs to attend one of these pop-ups.”

Torbay GP Dr Manny Austin, Lead GP for the vaccination service at the RIC, said: “I would urge anyone who hasn’t yet had their first, second or booster dose to come along to see us at the Riviera International Centre or to one of the pop-up clinics. 

"Make it your new year’s resolution to have the vaccine, so you don’t start 2022 with COVID-19.”

The Torbay sessions are:

Friday 7 January: Acorn Centre, Lummaton Cross, Torquay, TQ2 8ET

Thursday 13 January: Abbey Hall, Abbey Road, Torquay, TQ2 5SP

Saturday 15 January: Scala Hall, New Road, Brixham, TQ5 8TA

Wednesday 19 January: Abbey Hall, Abbey Road, Torquay, TQ2 5SP

Friday 21 January: Acorn Centre, Lummaton Cross, Torquay, TQ2 8ET

Saturday 29 January: Scala Hall, New Road, Brixham, TQ5 8TA

Friday 11 February: Abbey Hall, Abbey Road, Torquay, TQ2 5SP

Saturday 12 February: Scala Hall, New Road, Brixham, TQ5 8TA

For more NHS information on how to book a Covid jab click here

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.