Mass vaccination site opens in Suffolk
It'll be based at Newmarket Racecourse
The world's home of horse racing is set to play a major role in the fight against Covid-19 when it opens as Suffolk's second large vaccination centre today (30 January).
Pharmacy2U, the UK's largest online pharmacy, will begin vaccinating residents at Newmarket Racecourse's Rowley Mile course from 8am.
The hub will be capable of vaccinating thousands of people a week aged 70 and over and those who are clinically vulnerable, as well as front line health and care staff.
It will augment the work of the already established hospital hubs and GP-led vaccination sites across the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System (ICS).
People living within a 45-mile radius of the racecourse and who are eligible for vaccination will receive a letter, text or email from the NHS with information on how to book an appointment.
All vaccinations will be administered by a qualified healthcare professional, and patients will be required to return to the racecourse for the follow-up jab at a later date.
Figures released on Thursday showed that the ICS had administered the first dose of vaccine to 71% of people aged 80 or over as of 24 January.
Additionally, all residents in older adult care homes across the patch have been vaccinated where it has been safe to do so.
Dr Ed Garratt, Executive Lead for the Suffolk and North East Essex ICS and Chief Executive of the NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
"This is really good news for Suffolk and I'm very grateful to everyone in Newmarket who has worked so hard to enable this new centre to be established.
"It is really important that we get this vaccine out to has many eligible people as possible, and I very much hope people will take up the offer of a vaccination when invited to do so."
The opening of the Newmarket site marks the next step in Pharmacy 2U's contribution to the UK's vaccination roll-out programme.
New sites in Yeovil and Winsford will add to its sites in Liverpool, Wakefield, Leeds and Aylesbury which opened last week.
Phil Day, Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, said:
"This is a vitally important service for people across the country, ensuring the most vulnerable in our communities get this vaccination and protect themselves against Covid-19.
"The NHS has been working above and beyond expectation for almost a year. We've been working hard to make sure we can offer these sites and to continue the incredible achievements of the NHS."
Mark Livingstone, CEO of Pharmacy2U, said:
"We are incredibly proud at Pharmacy2U to help play our part in protecting the most vulnerable people against Covid-19.
"The launch of our sites marks a huge step in increasing the number of people that will have access to the vaccine and we feel privileged to be able to do so.