Evening clinic to vaccinate 'hard to reach' in Burnley

Set up in collaboration with the Church on the Street Ministries Charity, Burnley Borough Council, Building Bridges in Burnley, Burnley East and West Primary Care Networks and local NHS partners to provide a one-off drop-in vaccination clinic for homeless people in the area.

This work is in addition to partnership working with organisations that support hard-to-reach communities across Lancashire and South Cumbria where people have been vaccinated in homeless shelters and hostels which is being co-ordinated by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.

Anyone who is aged 50 and over or who has a long-term health condition can book their Covid-19 vaccination at one of the many vaccination centres across Lancashire and South Cumbria. Appointments can be booked via the national booking service online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/ or by calling 119.

Jane Scattergood, nurse and Covid-19 Vaccination Director for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, said: “We know that people without a permanent home are at even greater risk of catching coronavirus, often with nowhere to isolate away from others.

"We are working closely with shelters and hostels in the area to ensure that homeless people who may not be registered with a GP or have access to a computer or phone can still get vaccinated. I would like to thank all partners, volunteers and NHS staff involved in this clinic.

“Coronavirus affects us all, so it remains vital that we all continue to work together to make sure that everyone has quick and easy access to vaccinations. I would urge anyone invited to have the vaccine to please take up the offer, to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the wider community.”

Michael Fleming, Pastor of Church on the Street Ministries, said: “Thank you to Burnley Primary Care Network and the team at St Peter’s, for the clinic they provided for the complex needs community in regard to the Covid-19 vaccine. Church on the Street Ministries were honoured to work in partnership with them and overjoyed with the response that took place.”

Mick Cartledge, chief executive of Burnley Borough Council, said: "We're pleased to be able to support the work being done to offer the vaccination to everyone, including hard-to-reach groups such as those who are homeless. It's vital that everyone in our communities is given the opportunity to be vaccinated as it's the way to beat Covid-19."

For information about the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Lancashire and South Cumbria visit: https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/CovidVaccination