"It's a game changer" - opening of Bristol's Mass Vaccination Centre hailed success
It's hoped 10,000 people will be vaccinated at the site every week
Last updated 12th Jan 2021
The opening of Bristol's Mass Vaccination Centre has been hailed a success, with "several hundred" people given a jab on day one (11/01).
The site at Ashton Gate is one of seven mass centres across the country, with the others in places including London, Birmingham and Manchester.
Bristol's site opened at about a third of capacity yesterday to allow staff and patients to get used to the new system, but it's hoped by the end of the week more than a thousand people will be getting vaccinated there every day.
Dr Tim Whittlestone, Clinical Lead for the NHS vaccination programme in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, said: “We are delighted to be able to take the next step in our vaccination roll-out by opening the Ashton Gate facility and welcoming people for their jabs.
“Although the introduction of the centre is a welcome boost in the face of rising Covid-19 cases, our hospitals and staff are facing significant pressures and we must each take a personal responsibility to help stop the spread of this deadly virus.
"Please continue to follow national lockdown guidance, and remember hands, face, space when you do leave home.”
Speaking to us outside the centre yesterday he said it was "heartening" to see people vaccinated.
"For some people who have not been out of the house for many, many months, it is really quite an emotional experience to be vaccinated.
"This is the final chapter in the COVID pandemic and so to see individuals who have been trapped and curtailed, to see them having the opportunity to think that the end could be in sight is totally, totally, ingratiating."
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the site on Monday (11/01) and thanked all the staff for their efforts.
Irene Reynolds who is 81 was the first person aged over 80 to receive a jab at the site.
She said everybody inside was really kind and she felt "like a film star".
"I feel great because at least we know now we can get some protection from this terrible disease, especially for people of my age" she said.
"I've got two sons and they'll be glad that mummy is not going to go, not going to pop off yet."
Frontline healthcare workers were also among those to get the vaccine at the site.
Jacqueline Corney, a social care worker from Portishead, said everyone should get the vaccine if they're asked for it.
Another, Sue Jones, a retired nurse returning to the frontline to help tackle the virus, called it a "gamechanger".
"It's going to change people's lives," she said.
"It's obviously going to take time but I am absolutely delighted to have had it.
"I was shielding during the first lockdown so really, really pleased to have had this opportunity today as a retired and returning nurse to have the vaccine."
Everyone who arrived at the site for a vaccine had a pre-booked appointment. We are all being urged not to just turn up as they cannot vaccinate people "on the spot".
Dr Whittlestone says he is confident everybody will get their turn.
"Wait patiently. We'll get there. We'll get there."