First patient receives COVID jab at Peterborough's new mass vaccination hub

The hub, located at The CIty Care Centre in Thorpe Road, opened on Monday to vaccinate front line health and care workers - but today the doors were opened to residents who are on the Government's vulnerable list.

David Mann who is diabetic and falls into the high risk category was the first patient to receive his jab today. He said: "It's important to get the vaccine as it gives you peace of mind and helps you protect yourself."

The government's priority list is:

- 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

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.

Dr Gary Howsam, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group Chair and local GP said: “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’.”