Mass vaccinations could begin in Derby this week
PEOPLE across Derby say they have started to receive appointments for their first coronavirus jab at Derby Arena later this week.
One is a 92-year-old man from Spondon, who is looking forward to being vaccinated, and has been booked in for 5pm on Friday. Another elderly, shielded, person is attending on Saturday.
The Derby Telegraph approached the NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (DDCCG) to find out when Derby Arena would be starting the vaccination process but was not given any specific date.
Instead a statement was issued which said: “We’re delighted that GP practices in Derby are now booking in patients for their COVID-19 vaccinations, in anticipation of deliveries of the vaccine later this week.”
Yesterday, a DDCCG spokesman confirmed “we are actively finalising arrangements for the first vaccination centre to be opened in Derby” but did not reveal that bookings were already being made.
The appearance of the article on the Derbyshire Live website prompted several people to come forward to say they already had appointments to attend Derby Arena later this week.
The 92-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said he was pleased to hear from the Park Medical Centre to say that he had been booked in for a vaccination if he wanted it.
He said: “I am like a caged animal, having been indoors for the best part of the past nine moths because of the coronavirus pandemic. I was pleased to get the phone call from the medical practice last week saying that I had an appointment.
“They even made me the second follow-up vaccination appointment at the same time, which is January 29.”
It is understood Derby Arena, which was one of the first places in the country to be named as a potential mass vaccination site last November, will administer the Pfizer vaccine – which needs to be stored at very low temperatures – initially.
Other places in the county have already been administering vaccinations including the Royal Derby Hospital, Chesterfield Royal Hospital and primary care centres at Dronfield, Ripley, Bakewell, Long Eaton and Chapel-en-le Frith.