A ‘major milestone’ has been met at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) as the Trust celebrates opening the doors to its first COVID-19 vaccination centre in Essex a year ago today.
The Lodge at Runwell opened on January 19, 2021 to vaccinate people living in and around Essex as part of the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.
Since then, EPUT has administered 1,245,383 vaccinations across all of its vaccination centres.
Nigel Leonard, Executive Director of Major Projects at EPUT, who is co-ordinating the vaccination centres across Suffolk and north east Essex and mid and south Essex, said: “This is a major milestone and I am so proud of all our staff who have worked effortlessly to ensure we vaccinate as many people as possible.
“We are delighted to be part of the vaccination delivery programme and we are celebrating the massive amount of hard work by hundreds of our healthcare colleagues and volunteer marshals across mid and south Essex and Suffolk and north east Essex.”
Since opening its doors, more than 123,000 people have been vaccinated at The Lodge vaccination centre – more than 38,000 people have had their first dose, more than 46,500 their second dose and more than 38,700 their booster.
Nigel Leonard added: “While we take a moment to recognise the achievements of the last 12 months, I encourage as many people as possible who still need a first, second or booster jab to come forward and book your vaccination as soon as possible.”
EPUT currently has five large vaccination centres open across mid and south Essex and five mass vaccination centres open in Suffolk and north east Essex:
Essex:
- Chelmsford: County Hall
- Southend: Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue
- South Woodham Ferrers: The Practice, Tylers Ride
- Thurrock: Alistair Farquharson Centre, Thurrock Community Hospital
- Wickford: The Lodge, Runwell
Suffolk and north east Essex:
- Colchester: Colchester Football Club
- Ipswich: Gainsborough Sports Centre, Brazier’s Wood Road
- Stowmarket: Cedars Park Community Centre, Pintail Road
- Bury St Edmunds: Chevington Close
- Clacton-on-Sea: Clacton Hospital
The Trust is encouraging people to book a scheduled appointment at a local vaccination centre at nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by phoning 119. Walk-in appointments are also available – these are on a first come first served basis although there is plenty of supply. Please dress appropriately for the weather if you using the walk-in service.