Act now – Walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics next week across Suffolk and North East Essex

More walk in sessions are opening in Suffolk and North East Essex this week as the NHS drive forward the vaccination programme and encourage everyone eligible to come forward to have their life saving jab.

Gainsborough Vaccination Centre in Ipswich will be opening its doors again to vaccinate members of the public for walk in sessions on Wednesday June 16th, Thursday June 17th and Sunday June 20th.

Colchester United’s Jobserve Community Stadium will open its doors on Sunday June 20th and Unity Trust Offices vaccination centre in Haverhill will also be open for walk ins on Saturday June 19th.

Chevington Close Vaccination Centre in Bury St Edmunds will be open on both Saturday June 19th and Sunday June 20th. All centres will be open from 10am to 4pm for walk in appointments or until the availability of supply runs out.

Clacton Hospital will also be opening for walk ins on Thursday June 17th between 10am and 1pm, Friday June 18th and Saturday June 19th between 10am and 4pm or until supply runs out and Sunday June 20th from 10am to 1pm.

The appointments are for people aged 40 and over to receive their first dose of the vaccine or if they would like to bring forward their second dose of the AstraZenaca vaccine from 12 to eight weeks.

The drop-in sessions for the AstraZenaca vaccine comes as the biggest and fastest vaccination programme in NHS history continues to roll out.

We’d encourage those age 21 – 39 to book their appointment through the National Booking System or by calling 119.

There will be limited numbers of vaccine and the walk-ins will close once the daily vaccine supply runs out.

Everyone turning up for their first dose must either bring their NHS number with them or alternatively ID with proof of their age, for example a driving licence or passport. If you’re arriving for your second dose, please bring your first dose appointment card with you that shows the vaccine you were given. If you don’t have this, please make sure to bring your NHS number.

Nigel Leonard, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation at EPUT, who is co-ordinating the vaccination centres across Suffolk and North East Essex and Mid and South Essex, said: “These walk in appointments are designed to encourage people who would like the flexibility to just turn up for their vaccine to fit in with their life commitments.”

Please be aware that there might be a wait while we make sure everyone is vaccinated safely and in line with social distancing rules so you could be asked to return later in the day, and that the site will close when all the vaccines available on the day have been given.

The weather is looking very warm for the end of the week so please dress appropriately – bring a drink and even something to sit on in case there is a queue.

People who are age 23 to 39, or who would prefer the certainty of a guaranteed booked appointment, can book online at nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or phone 119 to get their appointment scheduled.

The last group of adults began to be called forward for the first time today, with around three million people aged between 25 and 29 getting invited to book their first dose.
More than half of adults are now fully vaccinated giving them maximum possible protection from coronavirus.

Background:
• People aged 39 and under who are eligible and pregnant women are being offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in line with updated JCVI guidance. These walk-in clinics are offering Astra Zeneca only, so we’d encourage those in these groups to go online and book their jab.