Covid mass vaccination centre at Cornwall's Stithians Showground to reopen

Cornwall's NHS is aiming to deliver 172,000 vaccinations by the end of December

Author: Emma HartPublished 14th Dec 2021
Last updated 14th Dec 2021

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s NHS has stepped up to the national call to arms to offer everyone aged 18 and older a booster jab by the end of the month, following Boris Johnson's announcement on Sunday night.

NHS Kernow says it is aiming to deliver 172,000 booster vaccines by the end of December, which works out to around 9,000 a day and will include the reopening of the Stithians mass vaccination centre.

They added that one million vaccines have been given out through the rollout so far and they are currently vaccinating around 4,000 people per day.

Health leaders are working alongside local GPs, pharmacists, and nurses to agree a detailed plan that will include asking staff to support extra vaccination clinics.

In-line with national NHS guidance, they will be working with primary and secondary care colleagues to agree what routine appointments need to be paused to allow the vaccination programme to be prioritised.

NHS Kernow says they are awaiting more detailed information from NHS England and NHS Improvement in the next few days and will keep people updated on the local programme.

What has been agreed so far?

The mass vaccination centre at Cornwall's Stithians Showground is being reopened for people to receive their jab from 19th December. More details are expected to be shared later this week.

Booking Jabs

From today, anyone older than 30 can book their appointment online via the NHS website or by calling 119. From Wednesday 15th December, anyone aged 18 and older can book their appointment.

Anyone who received their second dose within the past three months can book their appointment by calling 119 or visiting the NHS website and it is not too late to book a first or second dose if people have not yet received any protection.

People are being urged to cancel an appointment if it is longer needed, to free it up for someone else.

NHS Kernow says there are plenty of vaccine and appointments available but are asking for patience due to "overwhelming demand".

They said: "Please also be kind to our NHS staff, who are working tirelessly to deliver our vaccination programme".

Extra Clinics

More clinics, including walk-ins, are being organised, and people should keep visiting NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group's website for details. These will also be promoted via social media, the media, and through community networks to help raise awareness.

Walk-ins

Please check eligibility criteria information before attending on the NHS website. First, second and booster doses are available.

Redruth: Tuesday 14th December, 6pm - 9pm. Redruth Health Centre, Forth Noweth, Redruth TR15 1AU. First, second and booster doses available.

Camborne: Thursday 16th and Tuesday 21st December, 8am - 1pm. Veor Surgery, South Terrace, Camborne TR14 8SN. First, second and booster doses available.

Liskeard: Friday 17th December, 11am - 4pm. Liskerrett Community Centre, Varley Lane, Liskeard PL14 4AP. First, second and booster doses available.

Pharmacy sites: There may also be walk-ins available at a pharmacy near you. Visit the NHS website to find a location.

Keeping Safe

NHS Kernow has repeated the following advice on how to stay safe as cases of the Omicron variant continue to rise:

"People should continue to wear face coverings in public and crowded settings, wash their hands regularly, keep rooms ventilated, get tested regularly and isolate if they or anyone else at home has symptoms of COVID-19.

"Please support our NHS by using the most appropriate service. If you don’t need to talk to a GP or nurse, and if you have a condition that isn’t urgent then please consider waiting just a bit longer before getting help.

"Please call your GP if you are worried about something such as a lump or have blood in your wee or poo, or you have a condition that isn’t getting any better.

"The NHS is here to support you and you will be seen in person if you need to be examined.

"Your local pharmacist can help with minor ailments such as cystitis, conjunctivitis, impetigo, and rashes. They can also provide over the counter remedies to treat coughs and colds.

"Call 111 if you need health advice, or think you need to be seen in a minor injury unit, and keep 999 and our emergency departments free for life threatening conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.

"Thank you for your patience and we will keep you updated with developments".

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