HUNDREDS of people received a Covid-19 booster vaccine at a walk-in centre in Poole in one day, with help from the armed forces.
Residents arrived as early as 6.30am on Tuesday to be given the jab at the Army Reserve Centre in Wallisdown Road in a one day-only offering as part of the government’s target to give all over 18s a booster before the end of December.
Despite being officially scheduled to start the rollout at 10am, GP and clinical lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Dorset Dr Andy Rutland said: “The first punter arrived at 6.30am, really happy and smiley and very happy to be expecting a wait.
“We got going at about 8.30am and we’re going to just keeping going as best as we can today.”
Dr Rutland said the original target prior to the government’s announcement was for 400 jabs to be given. However, after Plan B was initiated, it was realised the site would see far more visitors.
He said: “Obviously the interest and the enthusiasm of patients to come and have their booster is fantastic to see, we just want to make sure that people aren’t waiting six hours which we hear was happening across the country yesterday so if we can beat that we’ll be happy.”
Volunteers from the armed forces alongside NHS staff worked quickly in seeing residents of all ages, creating a friendly atmosphere.
One elderly man with a disability was allowed to the front of the queue by a marshal.
The vaccination team included a CCU (Critical Care Unit) nurse, a retired GP, a UHD nurse and five volunteers from the Army.
Residents Rachel Gallagher and her daughter Elizabeth Hibbert were grateful for the walk-in site for two unique reasons.
Elizabeth said: “I’m partially sighted so when I go on the NHS app to find where I can get my booster, they’re in places like Southampton so I can’t get there without a lift from someone. Thankfully my mum here was able to take me and get hers.
“The process here is brilliant. They’re very quick, thorough and I’d definitely recommend it.”
Rachel said: “I’ve got an EU Covid certificate so I’ve had my first two vaccines overseas because that’s where I was working. I was told this was the only way I could get a booster because I can’t book on the appointment system as I technically don’t exist on their system. So this was really my only chance and I’m very pleased.”
The mother and daughter only had to queue for around 15 minutes, however wait times increased later into the afternoon before the 4pm closure.
The walk-in aspect of the site was only in place on Wednesday, with just pre-booked appointments allowed from now. However, Dr Rutland did not rule out reintroducing the walk-in aspect in the future.
He said: “Beyond today, we’re not doing walk-ins (here) so that’s important to know.
“We will look at how successful today’s been and do a few more walk-in sessions maybe later in the year before the [December] 31 deadline. If it looks like it will be useful to put on another walk-in, we might look at that.”
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