The NHS launches its first large scale vaccination centre in Cambridge on Thursday 28 January 2021 as part of the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history. 

The centre will be located at Unit 30 (next to H&M) which is on the ground floor of the Grafton Shopping Centre and provides an additional option to the vaccination hubs already successfully delivering vaccinations in local hospitals and by GPs across Cambridgeshire.

Dr David Vickers, Medical Director, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, which is co-ordinating delivery of the large vaccination centres across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough said: “We are delighted to be launching the first large vaccination centre in Cambridge on Thursday 28 January 2021, with more centres being rolled out in the coming weeks. The life-saving jab will initially be offered to people aged 80 and over (widening to other age groups in the coming weeks), along with health and care staff.

“The Centre is capable of delivering thousands of vaccines in the coming weeks and provides a major boost to our plans to offer protection to those who would benefit most as quickly as possible.”  

Letters are being sent out by the national booking service initially to people aged 80 and over (widening to other age groups in the coming weeks) who live up to a 45 minute drive from the centre, inviting them to book an appointment either online or over the phone.

If anyone has already received a jab since the letter was sent out or would prefer to wait to be invited to attend a hospital or GP service they can simply ignore it.

John O’Shea, Centre Manager of The Grafton, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust team into the Centre. In a year that has been challenging for everyone, the arrival of the vaccine is light at the end of the tunnel and we are very proud to play a part in this momentous roll-out programme.”   

Dr Gary Howsam, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group Chair and local GP, added: “NHS staff are doing an incredible job to deliver what it is the largest vaccination programme in our history, at the same time as providing vital services for people who need our care. 

“Please don’t contact the NHS to seek a vaccine; we will contact you. When you are contacted, please attend your booked appointment.  Appointments are staggered to allow for social distancing and people are urged not to turn up early to avoid queues.

“It is vital that you do not attend the Grafton Shopping Centre vaccination centre if you do not have an appointment as you will not be able to receive a vaccination.

“I urge people across Cambridgeshire to continue following all the guidance to control the virus and save lives – that means staying at home as much as you can, and always remembering ‘hands, face and space’.”

ENDS

Editor's notes:

Covid-19 vaccinations are now being delivered across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – by appointment only - through:

• Hospital Hubs at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge; Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge; the Peterborough City Hospital; and Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon.
• The Vaccination Centres at Unit 30, The Grafton Shopping Centre, Cambridge CB1 1PS and at the City Care Centre, Thorpe Road, Peterborough PE3 6DB with more centres coming on line in the coming weeks.
• Local Vaccine Services – provided by GPs and Pharmacies across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – for more information on these services visit: https://www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/covid-19-national-vaccination-programme/

How to find the Grafton Shopping Centre vaccination centre

The vaccination centre is located in Unit 30 (next to H&M) on the ground floor, at The Grafton Shopping Centre, Cambridge CB1 1PS. The closest entrances to Unit 30 are on Wellington Street and Crispin Street (next to the bus interchange).  Entrances on Napier Street and North Service Yard will not be open.  Access via the Fitzroy Street entrance is possible but is the furthest away from the vaccination centre. 

• By car: The Grafton is easily accessible by car via the M11, A10 and A14. As you come into the city follow signs to Grafton East multi-storey car park, situated on East Road (charges apply).There are 48 blue badge spaces. All entrances from the East car park into the Centre will be open with lifts available on every floor.
• By foot and bike: The Grafton is a five-minute walk from the city centre across Christs’ Piece and New Square. The shopping centre is also accessible from Burleigh Street, East Road and Newmarket Road.
• By bus: The Grafton is on the Newmarket Road (East) park and ride bus routes. The bus drops off and collects shoppers every 12 minutes from the Grafton’s Centre’s Bus Interchange (every 20 minutes after 6pm).Temporary changes to the Park and Ride service as a result of coronavirus can be found here: http://www.cambridgeparkandride.info/whatson.shtml

  The service 17 serves The Grafton, with one bus in the morning and one at night.

• By Taxi: Taxis can collect shoppers by the West Grafton Car Park and by the Centre’s bus interchange.
• By Train: The Grafton is a 20-minute walk from Cambridge railway station.

http://trainline.co.uk

Who will deliver vaccinations

The Department for Health and Social Care recently changed legislation to allow a wider group of people than usual to administer vaccines, including more health care professionals as well as others who have completed the clinical training needed to administer vaccines. 

Priority groups determined by the Joint Committee on Vaccine and Immunisation (JCVI)

• residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
• all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
• all those 75 years of age and over
• all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
• all those 65 years of age and over
• all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
• all those 60 years of age and over
• all those 55 years of age and over
• all those 50 years of age and over