An arts centre in Rayleigh is to open as a large-scale vaccination centre as the NHS continues to accelerate its vaccination programme across Essex.
The Mill Arts & Events Centre is the eighth to open its doors to deliver the life-saving vaccines in the county and one of more than 100 open nationally. More large vaccination centres will be going live across Essex in the coming weeks.
Leader of Rochford District Council, Cllr Simon Wootton said: “The Mill Arts & Events Centre has been closed for much of the pandemic so I am pleased we have been able to work with the NHS in putting it to good use, providing a vaccinations service which will be of benefit to the whole community.
“The roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is an important step in the fight against the virus and, as a council, we are very proud that we have been able to play our part.”
People in the top four priority groups including people aged 70 and over and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable can book to be vaccinated at the centre, alternatively they can choose a community pharmacy or wait to be contacted by their local GP-led vaccination service or hospital hub.
Nigel Leonard, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), which is coordinating the vaccination centres across Suffolk and North East Essex and Mid and South Essex, said: “Despite the weather conditions this week, we are delighted to be able to open the doors to another vaccination centre in Essex to continue to accelerate our vaccination programme to protect more people across the county.
“A huge thank you to my NHS colleagues, partners and everyone involved for getting this centre ready quickly.’
Anthony Cawley, Operations Director for Fusion Lifestyle, said: “We are delighted that The Mill will be put to good use during this time and that we can play our part in the national effort to beat the pandemic. The faster the vaccine is rolled out effectively, the sooner we will be able to reopen our centres and welcome communities back.”
The NHS is urging people only to come to a vaccination centre if they have a booked appointment and to arrive no more than five minutes before their booking.