A new vaccination centre opening in Canterbury will be able to vaccinate 2,500 people per week.
Based at the Sea Cadet building in Vauxhall Road, the site will be led by Northgate Medical Practice with all the GP practices in the Canterbury area involved in its day-to-day operation.
The GP practice will continue to offer a number of vaccinations at its main building in Northgate for people in the JCVI cohorts one to nine, but the vast majority of vaccinations for people under 50 (cohorts 10-12) will be carried out at the Sea Cadet hub from Monday 24 May. Vaccinations are currently open to people aged 32 or over and can be booked online or by calling 119.
Dr Ross Lindsay, Clinical Director, Canterbury North Primary Care Network (PCN), said: “Anyone who is eligible in the Canterbury and surrounding areas will be able to book themselves in online for an appointment at the hub after receiving their invite letter from NHS England. Available slots will correspond to our vaccine delivery dates and people will automatically be able to book to receive the most appropriate vaccine.
“By opening this second site, we can vaccinate more people in a convenient location and we may begin to return to normal in our main practice. We would like to thank Canterbury City Council and the Sea Cadets for working with us to make this happen.”
Dr Navin Kumta, Clinical Chair of NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This centre will mean more eligible people in the local area can be vaccinated and is another step closer to us reaching the target of offering the vaccine to all adults by summer.”
Cllr Barbara Flack, Lead Councillor for Property and Parking for Canterbury City Council which owns the building, said: "We're proud to be doing all we can to help the CCG get as many jabs into people's arms as possible throughout both the district and the county. The NHS continues to do a wonderful job and the vaccination programme has helped put the district firmly on the road to recovery."
Sir Julian Brazier, President, of Training Ship Courageous Canterbury Sea and Royal Marine Cadets, said: "It is a privilege for Canterbury Sea Cadets to be able to help NHS Kent and Medway CCG in its vital work, delivering Kent’s Covid vaccination programme."
More information about the Kent and Medway Covid vaccination programme www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/covid19vaccine