A huge vaccination centre opens in Blackpool today – on Monday 25 January 2021. The Winter Gardens, which is wholly owned by Blackpool Council, will become one of the country’s large vaccination centres. Moor Park Leisure Centre is also being used as a community pharmacy vaccination site.
These two venues, as well as Blackpool Victoria Hospital and many GPs surgeries in Blackpool, are now geared up to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine.
Thousands of people aged 70 and over, and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, will be invited to book their jab.
Anyone eligible will receive a letter from the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Booking Service. It tells you how to book your appointment.
If you receive a letter but you don’t yet see Blackpool as an option on the booking site and you would like to be vaccinated in Blackpool, please keep checking back until a slot becomes available.
Huge Vaccination Centre opens in Blackpool
If you book into the Winter Gardens vaccination centre, you’ll be greeted by volunteers. They’ll marshal car parks and queues and register you when you arrive.
Bookings are staggered to allow social distancing, so please arrive at your appointment time (there’s no need to be early). You’ll receive a health status check and a pre-vaccination assessment before your jab. The whole service is led and overseen by trained nurses.
Please do not arrive early for your appointment, but just on time. This helps with the flow of people in and out of the vaccination centre.
The Winter Gardens vaccination centre is available by appointment only.
Free Reserved Parking
Parking for the Winter Gardens vaccination centre is at East Topping Street Car Park, and is free of charge for an hour. The pay-and-display machine is configured for this. The short walk to the vaccination site is also signposted.
Parking is also free at Moor Park Leisure Centre, adjacent to the vaccination site.
Please Have your Jab!
If you receive a letter from the national NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Booking Service and you book an appointment, please make sure you attend it. The sooner you get your vaccination, when eligible, the earlier you will be protected from COVID-19.
Dr Arif Rajpura is Director of Public Health for Blackpool Council, and vaccinator at the Winter Gardens site. He said: “I’m delighted the vaccination programme is gathering pace and the council can support by putting our venues to good use. I’d like to personally thank all the staff who are involved.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel through this vaccination programme. If you are invited to get vaccinated, please make an appointment and then attend. The more people we get vaccinated, the more quickly we can all get back to some kind of normality.
But Carry on Being Careful…
“It’s also important to remember that even when vaccinated it can take 3 weeks for that vaccination to become effective.
“Even then we need to remain cautious for a little longer. We still need to continue to follow all the guidance on social distancing, wearing a face covering, washing hands and isolating.”
Cllr Lynn Williams is Leader of Blackpool Council. She said: “I am so pleased that Blackpool Winter Gardens will open its doors not to entertain and thrill people as it would do normally, but to play a part in the colossal fight against this virus.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support the NHS and provide the use of the Winter Gardens and Moor Park Leisure Centre. Thank you to all the staff involved in helping to facilitate this.
Book and attend
“The protection of our most vulnerable residents and our neighbouring communities is so important. Please, if you’re invited, book an appointment and get your vaccine.
“There is a still a long way to go until we beat this virus, but it really does feel like the opening of these new vaccination sites in Blackpool is a moment in history we won’t forget, and will hopefully prove to be a turning point for us.”
There’s no need to contact your GP about your vaccination. You’ll get an invite when it’s your turn.
- More information about the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Lancashire and South Cumbria. And find out how how you can help. https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/CovidVaccination
Vaccinations in Cleveleys
Resident Visit Fylde Coast writer Chrissie has had her Covid Vaccination. Find out how vaccinations are being rolled out in Wyre in this blog –
Other pages to look at…
While you’re here…
Have a look at the homepage of the Visit Fylde Coast website for more of the latest updates.
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