WALK in clinics are offering first and second doses of vaccine across County Durham this weekend.
Four pop-up vaccination clinics are allowing all over-18s to turn up, without an appointment, to get their jab on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 June.
The move comes as the NHS invited all adults last week to get a COVID jab if they have not had one as the NHS COVID Vaccination Programme, the biggest in health service history, begins the final push to protect the country.
Anyone who lives or works in County Durham, will be able to attend one of the three walk-in vaccination sessions.
Please check the list below to find locations, times and vaccines available for each clinic. Vaccine type will be determined on age and clinical eligibility.
Shildon
Saturday 26 June, Burke Street Surgery, Shildon
8.30am-12.30pm and 2pm-4pm.
Operated by Sedgefield One Primary Care Network (PCN) – First doses only of the Pfizer vaccine will be available for people aged 18 and over. 800 doses available.
Durham
Saturday 26 June, Millennium Place, Durham, (outside the Gala Theatre)
11am – 6pm
Operated by Easington District and Durham West Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
First and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be available for people aged 18 and over – second doses will only be given to people who had their first Pfizer dose at least 8 weeks ago. 1,500 doses available.
First and second doses of AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine will be available for people age 40 and over, second doses will only be given to people who had their first AZ dose at least eight weeks ago. 1,500 plus doses available.
Durham
Sunday 27 June, Boots Pharmacy, 2-5 Market Place, Durham
9am – 5pm
First and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be available for people aged 18 and over – second doses will only be given to people who had their first Pfizer dose at least 8 weeks ago. 340 doses available.
Chester-Le-Street
Sunday 27 June, Fellrose Surgery, Pelton Fell, Chester-le-Street
10am – 1pm
First dose of Pfizer for over 18s only for patients registered with one of the following GP practices
• Sacriston
• Bridge End
• The Villages
• Middle Chare
• Great Lumley
• Pelton + Fellrose
• Cestria
Dr Stewart Findlay, chief officer, NHS County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and clinical director of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme in the North East and North Cumbria, said: “If people haven’t had their first Covid-19 vaccine yet, this is a great opportunity to go along to one of the three participating walk-in clinics taking place across County Durham this weekend.
“For people that have had one jab and are now due their second it is vitally important that they get both doses of the vaccine.”
“This walk-in clinic approach is another example of our health teams making a real difference to local people and ensuring that wherever you live in Country Durham you can get a vaccination.”
Vaccination teams across County Durham have delivered more than 620,549 Covid-19 jabs from 14 GP led vaccination clinics, five community pharmacies, the Melissa mobile vaccination bus and the Arnison Centre large vaccination hub with walk-in clinics already taking place in Peterlee, Horden, Kelloe, Seaham and Ferryhill.
Amanda Healy, Director of Public Health for County Durham, added: “Getting both doses of the vaccination really is the best way for everyone to protect themselves from coronavirus, including the Delta variant, and to contribute towards keeping their loved ones healthy as well.
“We know that the vast majority of cases we are seeing are in our younger age groups who are now eligible for vaccination and the fact we are not seeing as many in older groups who have had the vaccine is testament to how successful it is.
“I would therefore strongly urge people to attend one of these walk-in clinics.”