The NHS launches its first large scale vaccination centre in Peterborough this week as part of the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.  The centre will be located at the City Care Centre, Thorpe Road, Peterborough PE3 6DB.

The centre provides an additional option to the vaccination hubs already successfully delivering vaccinations in local hospitals and by GPs across Peterborough.

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 Peterborough this week, with more centres being rolled out in the coming weeks.

“The Peterborough City Care Centre will begin vaccinating people aged 80 and over from Wednesday 27 January 2021 (widening to other age groups in the coming weeks), with the most at risk local frontline health and social care workers being vaccinated on Monday 25^th and Tuesday 26 January.

“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.

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 Peterborough City Care Centre if you do not have an appointment as you will not be able to receive a vaccination.

“I urge people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough 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 Centre at the City Care Centre, Thorpe Road, Peterborough PE3 6DB and Unit 30 at the Grafton Centre, Cambridge with more centres coming on line in the coming weeks. Please note that the vaccination centre is not at the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) as this is a separate part of the City Care Centre and the UTC will still be open to patients as normal
• 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 City Care Centre

The vaccination centre is located in the City Care Centre, Thorpe Road, Peterborough PE3 6DB. Marshalls will greet visitors to the vaccination centre on arrival.

• By car: The City Care Centre is easily accessible by car via the A47 or A1 (A1M).There is a free car park – including disabled parking bays - immediately outside the Centre.
• By bus: Thorpe road is on a number of bus routes including the Citi 2 which runs every 10 minutes. Due to covid restrictions, temporary changes to bus routes may be introduced – please check with the local bus provider before travelling: https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/East/JAN21/COVID/JAN24TTCHANGEINFO.pdf
• By Taxi: Taxis can collect and drop off outside the main entrance to the City Care Centre.
• By foot and bike: The City Care Centre is a 25 minute walk (approx. 1.5 miles) from either the Peterborough railway station or the Queensgate Shopping Centre; both via Crescent Bridge.

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