Vaccine centres for West planned
NHS England has confirmed that work on two more Covid-19 vaccination centres in the Westcountry is progressing well.
Vaccinations are already being delivered at all four of Devon’s main hospitals – in Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay and Barnstaple – and at various GP practices and other venues in the county, but locals have been calling for more centres in recent weeks.
While the exact locations for the new vaccination centres have not yet been revealed, the NHS says preparation work at the centres is “progressing well” and further information should be released shortly.
A total of 36 new vaccine facilities are expected to be set up in the region in the coming weeks, including a vaccine centre outside Home Park stadium in Plymouth.
A spokesperson for the NHS in Devon said: “NHS England and NHS Improvement is announcing the opening of NHS Vaccination Centres across the country.
“In the South West, Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol and Taunton Racecourse are up and running.
“Further sites will be coming on stream soon and, in Devon, two are planned.
“Work is progressing well and further details will be released as soon as possible.”
Staff at a Devon care home believe they have been successful at halting the spread of coronavirus because they have already received their first vaccinations.
Pottles Court in Exminster has reported Covid-19 entered the home two weeks ago, just days after vaccinations were given.
The care home provides accommodation for up to 17 people. No residents have since shown any coronavirus symptoms, which is thought to be down to the vaccines.
A public post shared on social media, attributed to George at Pottles Court, read: “We, the owners and management team at Pottles Court, have been quite overwhelmed by the outstanding love, support and friendship offered to us by people living in the local area.
“As you can imagine, it has been a critical couple of weeks for us, with no time to stop, and this has meant that we have not been able to express individually our heartfelt thanks to all those who have offered good wishes, letters and cards, gifts, offers of help and moral support.
“We have found it an emotional and humbling experience to be on the receiving end of such positivity and generosity of spirit,” the post continued.
“We thank you with all our hearts, as it gave us the lift we needed at some of the most difficult times.”