Large-scale vaccination centre opening in King's Lynn
It's one of three more opening in Norfolk this week.
Last updated 1st Feb 2021
King's Lynn's first large-scale vaccination centre is due to open from Monday 1st February.
The site at the Corn Exchange will be hosting the inoculations.
It's one of three more large-scale sites opening in Norfolk this week - the other two are in Attleborough and North Walsham.
The new centres are in addition to the existing large-scale site in Norwich and other vaccination programmes at local hospitals and GP surgeries.
Cllr Stuart Dark, MBE, Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Public Protection, said: "We have been working behind the scenes with the NHS for many months to help identify sites, ensure any venues we could offer met all the criteria, and have then gone through the operational planning process with them to ensure that once they open everything will run smoothly.
"Coming on the back of the news that our efforts to lobby for a venue in Downham Market have been acknowledged, we are delighted that after months of having to keep the information confidential, we are finally able to confirm that a large scale vaccination centre will be open today serving the central area of the borough of King's Lynn & West Norfolk."
Dr David Vickers, Medical Director, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust which is co-ordinating delivery of the large vaccination centres across Norfolk and Waveney said:
"We are delighted to be launching large vaccination centres in Kings Lynn, Attleborough and North Walsham; joining the centre already successfully delivering this life saving vaccination at the Castle Quarter Shopping Centre in Norwich.
"Further centres will roll out in the coming weeks.
"The centres are capable of delivering thousands of vaccines in the coming weeks and provide a major boost to our plans to offer protection to those who would benefit most as quickly as possible.
"We'd like to say an enormous thank you to our amazing staff and volunteers for their incredible hard work, and also to colleagues at the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Alive West Norfolk, the Trustees of Connaught Hall, and North Walsham Community Centre for letting us use their premises for this vital vaccination programme."
Letters will be sent out to priority groups within a 45 minute drive of the new large-scale centre.
People who receive a letter to book an appointment are being encouraged to do so, but the NHS says if anyone has already received a jab since the letter was sent to disregard it.
It added that if you would rather wait for an appointment at your local GP surgery you can do so, or if you already have an appointment booked with your GP you can keep it.
Lorraine Gore, Chief Executive of the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, added: "Throughout this pandemic we have been working hard for our communities, and that has included ensuring that the area is well served when it comes to vaccination centres.
"I am pleased that this site is now open, in addition to the QEH vaccination hub and the four primary care network venues that are already up and running.
"This will help ensure the vaccination programme is rolled out quickly and effectively in this area.
"We have worked with the NHS team on operational matters to ensure that the large-scale vaccination site in King's Lynn could get up and running as soon as possible.
"We have also provided free parking permits to the teams delivering the vaccination programme at the venue, and we are providing free parking spaces for those attending for appointments.
"Our aim, in support of our NHS colleagues, is to make it as easy as possible for people to get in, get parked, get the vaccination and then leave again."
Melanie Craig, Chief Executive, NHS Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group added:
"NHS staff are doing an incredible job to deliver what it is the largest vaccination programme in our history, at the same time as providing vital services for people who need our care.
"A significant number of Norfolk and Waveney's most vulnerable patients have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and this new centre will accelerate progress even further.
"Please don't contact the NHS to seek a vaccine; we will contact you. When you are contacted, please attend your booked appointments.
"It is vital that you do not attend the Kings Lynn, Attleborough or North Walsham vaccination centres if you do not have an appointment as you will not be able to receive a vaccination.
"I urge people across Norfolk and Waveney to continue following all the guidance to control the virus and save lives - that means staying at home as much as you can, and always remembering 'hands, face and space; it's also vital for people that have had a dose of the vaccine to continue following the same guidance."
The local Borough Council says it's important people who have already received their first dose continue following the Government's guidance for the current national lockdown, and continue practicing Hands, Face, Space.
What is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK on 2 December 2020. Britain was the first country in the world to approve the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19. Pfizer is an American pharmaceutical firm while BioNTech is a German biotechnology company. The vaccine is very delicate and has to be stored at -70 degrees, limiting the number of sites that can administer the jab.
What is the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine?
A vaccine developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca became the second vaccine approved for UK use on 30 December 2020. This vaccine was considered "the way out" of the pandemic in the UK, thanks to the fact it is easier to store than the Pfizer jab, making it well equipped for mass roll out. GPs and vaccination centres across the country began administering the jab in early January 2021. Under 30's in the U.K. were given the option to choose a different vaccine to this due to small risks of very rare blood clots. Instead, under-30s would typically choose the Pfizer jab or later, the moderna jab.
What is the Moderna vaccine?
The third vaccine approved for UK use on 8 January 2021 was developed by American firm Moderna. 24-year-old Elle Taylor from Wales became the first person in the UK to receive the Moderna jab in April. The Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer jab in how it works but is even easier to roll out as it can be stored at -20 degrees rather than -70.
What is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The fourth vaccine to be be approved in the UK was Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, released under the name Janssen. Notably, It is also the first single shot vaccine in use during this vaccine rollout.
Who was the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine?
90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first patient in the world to be vaccinated against Covid-19 outside a clinical trial. She received her jab on 8 December 2020 at Coventry's University Hospital. Mrs Keenan, who lives in Coventry, became somewhat of a fashion influencer after the charity t-shirt she wore to her vaccination appointment sold out. Profits went towards buying Christmas presents for hospital patients. The grandmother advised everyone who was offered the vaccine to take it, saying "If I can have it at 90, then you can have it too."
Who was the first person to receive the Oxford vaccine?
Meanwhile, Brian Pinker from Oxford was first to receive the AstraZeneca jab outside of a clinical trial at the age of 82. Mr Pinker, who was vaccinated on 4 January 2021, praised the medical teams administering the vaccine, saying it would allow him to "really look forward" to celebrating his 48th wedding anniversary with wife Shirley later on in the year.
When will I receive the vaccine?
Vaccines were offered according to vulnerability levels. First to be offered the jab were people in care homes and their carers, followed by those over 80 and health and social care workers. People aged 65 and above were next on the priority list and then high-risk adults under the age of 65 followed by moderate risk adults under 65. The vaccine was then rolled out by age group.
How will I know when it's my turn to get vaccinated?
When it is your turn to receive the vaccination, you will be informed by the NHS. You should only attend vaccination sites if you have been told to do so. Vaccines are provided for free by the NHS and they will never ask for bank details. Find out more about vaccine scams here.
What is a vaccine passport?
The Government debate the idea of a vaccine passport as proof of full vaccination required to enter venues like nightclubs. Health Secretary Sajid Javid later "ditched" the idea and ensured clubbers that they no longer need to be double jabbed by the end of September 2021 to get into Nightclubs or big events.
Do I need a booster jab?
Pfizer/BioNTech booster jabs are rolled out as part of the Government's winter covid plan. Shots can be given to people aged 50 and over, those in care homes and frontline health and social care workers. All those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and anyone aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group for Covid will also be eligible for a jab. There must be at least 6 months between a 2nd vaccine dose and a booster jab.
Oxford jab scientist Sarah Gilbert says booster jabs are "not needed for all" and that they should instead go to countries with low vaccination rates.
Will children be vaccinated?
The government have also made vaccines available to children aged between 12-15 as part of the country's winter Covid plan.
What about five to 11-year-olds getting vaccinated?
All 5 to 11-year-olds in England can now receive a coronavirus jab, following advice from the JCVI and the same decision being made in Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is also expanding their vaccination programme to include the 5-11 age range. It means almost six million children in the UK will be offered the Covid-19 vaccination.