20,000 Covid-19 vaccines given in first week of spring programme with walk-ins available in Doddington, March and Wisbech

In the first week of the spring Covid-19 programme, the local NHS in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has vaccinated over 20,000 people.

Despite the strong start to this programme, there are still plenty of appointments available on the national booking system, with up to 2,000 still available across the county each day.

Cali Makewell, integrated vaccination service lead at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB, said: “Whilst we are delighted that so many people have come forward in the first week for this vital vaccination, we still have lots of appointments available, and strongly encourage anyone who is eligible to take up the opportunity to protect themselves.

“It’s understandable that some people might not feel they need another Covid-19 vaccination but immunity decreases over time and Covid remains an extremely unpleasant, and for some people life-threatening, disease.”

Those eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination are:

-Adults aged 75 years and over;

-Residents in a care home for older adults;

-Individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed which is a variety of groups including people who are undergoing radical radiotherapy, solid organ transplant recipients and people with a history of leukaemia.

There are a variety of clinics available across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, some offering walk-in sessions or bookable appointments, as well as quiet clinics for those who need them.

For more information, visit www.cpics.org.uk/the-vaccinators to find a walk-in clinic. Alternatively, people who would prefer to book in can visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-19-services/covid-19-vaccination-services/book-covid-19-vaccination or call 119.

Walk-in clinics are available at Oasis Child & Family Centre, St Michaels Avenue, Wisbech on Tuesday, April 15, 9am-3pm; Doddington Vaccination Centre, Stonea Corridor, Doddington Hospital on Thursday, April 17, 8.30am-4.30pm; St John's Church Hall, Station Road, March on Tuesday, April 22, 10am-3pm and Thursday, May 22, 10am-3pm; Queen Mary Centre, Queens Road, Wisbech on Thursday, April 24, 9am-3pm, Tuesday, May 13, 9am-3pm and Thursday, June 6, 9am-3pm.