A COUNTY Durham GP vaccination hub is urging people who have not yet had their Covid vaccination to drop-in for a jab.
Sedgefield One Primary Care Network (PCN) will run a 'pop-up drop-in' clinic for people aged over 18, or in an ‘at risk’ group over the age of 16, who have not yet taken up the offer of a first vaccination.
No appointment is required and anyone who works or lives in County Durham, within the current eligibility cohort, will be able to attend the walk-in vaccination sessions on Saturday, June, 26, at Burke Street Surgery, Shildon, between 8.30am and 12.30pm and 2pm and 4pm.
Dr Winny Jose, clinical director at Sedgefield One PCN, said: "We’re creating a pop-up vaccination clinic in Shildon to allow people to just turn up and get their jab.
"If anyone who is eligible hasn't got around to booking their first vaccine appointment yet, this is the perfect opportunity for them to start to get protected – it's really important that no one gets left behind."
Sedgefield One PCN is operated by staff from Jubilee Medical Group, Newton Aycliffe, Bewick Crescent Surgery, Newton Aycliffe, Hallgarth Surgery, Shildon and Peaseway Medical Centre, Newton Aycliffe and has already delivered more than 45,000 vaccines since the roll-out began.
First jabs only will be offered at the clinic and a team of immunisers, support and medical staff, will be on hand to answer questions or address any issues of vaccine hesitancy.
Second dose vaccinations will be booked to be delivered, at Shildon, within 12 weeks.
Patients are also to pre-book an appointment at the pop-up clinic by contacting Jubilee Medical Group on 01325-311300 or, for patients registered at Hallgarth Surgery, on 01388-772662.
Dr Stewart Findlay, chief officer NHS County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and clinical director of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in the North East and North Cumbria welcomed news of the latest pop-up clinic.
He said: "Our vaccination teams have already delivered more than 589,627 Covid-19 vaccinations from 13 GP led vaccination clinics, five community pharmacies, the Melissa mobile vaccination bus and the Arnison Centre large vaccination hub.
"This drop-in clinic approach is yet another example of our health teams making a real difference to local people and ensuring that wherever you live in Country Durham you can get a vaccination."
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