Dr David Vickers, medical director, Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, which delivers the large scale vaccination centres across Norfolk said:

“I am delighted to announce that from Saturday 27 November, the Attleborough vaccination centre will open to walk-ins for all eligible groups; with all other vaccination centres across Norfolk following suit from Monday 29 November. 

“This includes those aged 40-49 who recently became eligible for a booster six months after their second dose, and 16–17-year-olds not in at risk groups who can now access a second dose 12 weeks after their first dose.  Anyone who would prefer a booked appointment can continue to book these via the National Booking Service at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine”  

The large scale vaccination centres offering walk ins from the dates identified above and open 7 days a week are located at:

• Paddock Road Surgery, Paddock Road, Harleston IP20 9AT

• Connaught Hall, Station Rd, Attleborough NR17 2AS

• Shakespeare Barn, King's Lynn Arts Centre, King Street, Kings Lynn PE30 1HA

• Castle Quarter Shopping Centre, 100 Castle Meadow, Norwich NR1 3DD
• Beetley Ward, Dereham Hospital, Northgate, Dereham NR19 2EX (open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only)

Cath Byford, Chief Nurse, NHS Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“It’s great news that these vaccination centres are opening up to all eligible cohorts on a walk-in basis.  The vast majority of those being hospitalised with serious illness from Covid-19 are those who have not been vaccinated.  We strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to arrange their vaccine or booster dose now. 

“Vaccines are the best way to protect yourselves and your loved ones and reducing covid-related hospital admissions will help the NHS cope better during the winter months and reduce disruption to routine and planned care.”

Further information on walk-in vaccination services is available at https://apps.norfolk.gov.uk/WalkIn/Form/SiteList

It comes as latest published data shows that more than 280,000 people have now had a booster – this equates to around 67% of those currently eligible in Norfolk and Waveney.

The figures released yesterday by NHS England also reveal that 93% of people aged 18+ have had at least one vaccination and 90% have had two doses compared with national average of 91% and 86% respectively.

The area’s ongoing strong performance sees Norfolk and Waveney ranked 10th and 9th for 1st and second doses respectively out of 42 health and care systems in England.

Ends

Editors notes:

Who is eligible for a booster jab six months after their second jab:

• people aged 40 and over
• people who live and work in care homes
• frontline health and social care workers
• people aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
• people aged 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19
• people aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
• People who are pregnant and in 1 of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose.

Who is eligible for a second dose:

• People aged 18+ (8 weeks after their first dose)
• People aged 16-17 (12 weeks after their first dose)

• People aged 12-17 (8 weeks after their first dose) in the following categories:

   

  • with health conditions that put them at higher risk from COVID-19 (bringing with them an NHS confirmation letter
  • who are young carers
  • who are frontline health or social care workers; or
  • who live with someone who is immunosuppressed

     

    Note: 12-15 year olds not in the high risk groups outlined above are currently eligible for one dose only

Who is eligible for a third dose eight weeks after your second dose:

A third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine is being offered to people aged 12 and over who had a weakened immune system when they had their first 2 doses.  This includes people who had or have the following conditions (who must bring with them an NHS confirmation letter):

• A blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
• A weakened immune system due to a treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
• An organ or bone marrow transplant
• A condition that means you have a very high risk of getting infections
• A condition of treatment your specialist advises makes you eligible for a third dose