New vaccine clinics to join Covid battle

TWO new Covid-19 vaccination clinics have opened in Rossendale as part of the Government’s decision to label all of Lancashire except Blackpool as an enhanced response area due to worrying Delta variant rates.

The clinics are based in Rawtenstall and Bacup and will be open every day, seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm.

Opening on Monday ( June 14), the temporary facilities will give residents their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

The NHS in Lancashire says the clinics are part of the move to make getting a jab ‘easier and more convenient’, with clinicians on hand to answer questions and address any concerns people might have.

The clinic in Rawtenstall is based in the Rossendale Primary Health Care Centre down Bacup Road and will be open until the end of August.

In Bacup, the clinic will be based at Unit 5, Futures Park, OL13 0BB just off New Line.

It will be open until Sunday, June 27.

Jane Scattergood, Covid-19 Vaccination Director for Lancashire and South Cumbria, said: “These pop-up vaccination sites mean people have more opportunities to get their vaccination at a time and place that suits them.

“As soon as you are eligible, please do come forward.

“I also want to again say a huge thank you to all our staff and partners who are working hard on the delivery of the vaccination programme.”

Alyson Barnes, Leader of Rossendale Borough Council, said: “We had a fantastic response from our residents when we had the vaccine bus in the borough, demonstrating that if people are given easy access to getting the vaccine they will turn up.

“We want to keep this momentum up now and encourage everyone to come down and get vaccinated if they’re 25 or over but also for people who are 18 to come down and check if they’re eligible too.

“Testing and vaccination really will help in the fight to bring the virus under control, and we must all play our part in this.”

Anyone eligible aged 18 and over can get the vaccine with those unsure about eligibility urged to speak to the vaccination teams on site.

The Government has widened the age range to anyone aged 25 and over, so anybody in this age range now qualifies.

You don’t need an appointment and can just walk-in.