Hundreds take their shot as drop-in session held at fire station
HUNDREDS of people queued up to get their booster jabs at Cheltenham East Fire Station when it opened last Thursday.
Staff and volunteers at the fire station started letting people into the drop-in session to get their booster jab well before the advertised start of 5.30pm.
And just as well, because people had been arriving in numbers for at least 20 minutes by the time the doors were opened at 5.15pm.
The queue at that time stretched 200 yards down Keynsham Road from the fire station to the corner of Argyll Road, and another 60 yards down that street, ending not far from the junction with London Road.
Even with a metre of social distancing between each person or couple in the line, there were hundreds of people waiting, and as the queue moved forward, reasonably quickly, yet more were joining at the back.
The drop-in was advertised as providing boosters for those over 40, or first or second vaccinations for 16 to 40-year-olds.
Jason Overman said he had left work early to get in line.
“It’s the first chance I’ve had to get a booster,” he said. “I was double-jabbed in the summer. If I could have got it sooner I would have. I have caring responsibilities and look after a vulnerable relative, and I want to make sure I’m as jabbed as possible.”
Some others hadn’t been so sure, but had been persuaded by Government messaging about the rise of the Omicron variant. Walid Badir said: “I felt really bad after I had my two earlier vaccinations. I was off work both times, and I’m self-employed, so it wasn’t good at all.
“I was in two minds about coming for a third; I really don’t want to have a reaction like that again. But the Omicron thing has got me quite worried. If two jabs isn’t enough, then I’ll just have to get a third.”
Some people came in pairs, with a family member, or, like Meg Benny and Liz King, as friends. They were undaunted as they stood at the back of the enormous line. Liz said: “I hope it’s not too long, but even if it’s two hours, it’s done, and that’s better than waiting more weeks or months.
“I’ve been quite confused about whether you can book online. I looked and there didn’t seem to be anywhere nearby, while others in my family have been called by their GP, so it’s all been a bit confusing.”
An open letter from health and care leaders in Gloucestershire said: “This variant is spreading so quickly, it is likely that everyone will come into contact with an infected person in the next few weeks.
“We are not saying this to scare people, but to signal a clear call to action to get your booster when offered and to protect yourself and protect vulnerable people across Gloucestershire.”
It added: “Without collective action now to drive up booster vaccination rates and to embrace other preventative action this winter, the pressure on GP, community and hospital services and social care services from Covid-19 and demand for specialist emergency care will be profound.”
If I could have got it sooner I would have. I have caring responsibilities and look after a vulnerable relative, and I want to make sure I’m as jabbed as possible
Jason Overman