Hundreds invited to new NHS vaccination centre in Burnley

Hundreds of people aged 65 and over and those who are clinically vulnerable are being invited to book a coronavirus vaccination at a new NHS larger scale vaccination centre in Burnley town centre.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

People who are eligible and who haven’t already been vaccinated by their local GP-led vaccination services or hospital hub, will receive letters from the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Booking Service, telling them how they can book their appointment.

The NHS has opened more vaccination services across Lancashire and South Cumbria, including large vaccination centres and pharmacies.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The former Next store in Charter Walk, Burnley, is one of two larger sites opening in Lancashire and South Cumbria this week to offer a convenient alternative to GP and hospital services, which can deliver thousands of vaccinations every week. A vaccination centre is due to open in Preston on Thursday.

The vaccination centre in Charter Walk, Burnley. Photo: Kelvin StuttardThe vaccination centre in Charter Walk, Burnley. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard
The vaccination centre in Charter Walk, Burnley. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard

It remains important that the public don’t try to book or go to these services before they receive their booking letter.

Jane Scattergood, Covid-19 Vaccination Director for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, said: “This is evidence of the further expansion of the Covid-19 vaccination programme and we are delighted that Burnley and Preston will be opening as large vaccination centres.

"A great deal of hard work goes into setting up these sites, particularly when they are not in health settings. It is about delivering the vaccination programme locally where people will be able to access services the most. We are asking the public to support the NHS by not contacting your GP about your vaccination, we will invite you when it is your time.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We continue to be extremely grateful to all our wider partners including Lancashire County Council, Cumbria County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackpool Council, our district councils, Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service, the military, police, local businesses and many more.”

Dr Mark Dziobon, Burnley GP and Medical Director, Pennine Lancashire CCGs said: “I am absolutely delighted that people in the area will be able to use the mass Covid vaccination site at the former Next store in Charter Walk, Burnley, which has now been announced as the latest vaccination location.

"The Covid vaccination programme is scaling up to reach as many people as possible, particularly those who are most at risk from the ravages of Covid. We anticipate that the ability to vaccinate larger numbers of people will be a significant development in our fight against the virus and a return to a more normal way of life over time.

"Please do not contact your GP but wait until your receive a letter or a phone call inviting you to come forward.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun. Lian Pate, Burnley Council's Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: "This is fantastic news. The only way to beat Covid-19 is for as many people as possible to be vaccinated as quickly as possible. Having a vaccination site in the heart of Burnley town centre will help make sure there is plenty of capacity to hit those Government vaccination targets."

If people have 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 the letter. Those like care home residents who are unable to travel to vaccine centres, hospitals or GP-led sites are already receiving the vaccine at home.

Please don’t delay having your vaccine, but if you can’t travel to a vaccination centre or you would rather wait for an appointment closer to home, you can choose to do that, and your local GP-led service will be in touch soon to offer an alternative.

If you receive a letter from the national NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Booking Service and you book an appointment, please make sure you attend it. The sooner you get your vaccination, when eligible, the earlier you will be protected from Covid-19.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As with other vaccination services people should wait to be invited by the NHS. It will not be possible to use the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Booking Service if you have not received an invitation letter. It will also not be possible to get a vaccine at a vaccination centre or community pharmacy without an appointment. Doing so risks disrupting the work of NHS staff in protecting those at highest risk.

For more information about the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Lancashire and South Cumbria, including how to get involved, visit: https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/CovidVaccination