Vaccine bus hits the road to boost jabs

People will be able to get a coronavirus jab from a ‘vaccine bus’ this week.

Run by health staff from Easington District Primary Care Network, the mobile clinic aims to boost vaccination rates in areas where uptake has proved low.

The bus, which has a capacity to provide around 200 vaccinations a day, will make its first stop at the Castle Dene Shopping Centre, Broad Close Car Park, Peterlee, tomorrow from 10am to 3pm.

Those eligible to receive a jab include people over the age of 40, who have not yet had their first vaccination, anyone clinically extremely vulnerable or with an underlying health condition, people with a learning disability, unpaid carers, or frontline health or social care workers. No appointment is needed.

Kate Huddart, head of medicines optimisation, NHS County Durham CCG, said: “The Covid-19 vaccination programme has been going really well in County Durham and we hope that by taking the vaccination bus even closer to where people live, we’ll be able to reach many more people who may have found it difficult to get to a clinic so far.

"Weaimtoremove as many barriers as possible that prevent people from having their jab.”

Alternative vaccination centres across County Durham include 13 local GP led vaccination sites, three community pharmacies and the Arnison Centre, large vaccination hub, in Durham.

Amanda Healy, Durham County Council’s director of public health, said :“For those who are struggling or unable to access a designated centre, this programme will make it more accessible for people to receive their jab.”