Mass Covid vaccination hub to end at former Saga centre in Ramsgate but GP-led jabs will continue at site
15:36, 10 June 2021
updated: 15:38, 10 June 2021
A mass Covid vaccination hub at a former call centre is about to end after thousands of vaccinations were administered over the past four months.
The service at the former Saga centre in Haine Road, Ramsgate - one of five Kent vaccine hubs being run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) - will stop on June 19.
GP-led immunisations, run by two of Thanet's Primary Care Networks, will continue at the site and anyone needing a jab - both first or second dose - will not be affected by the change.
The PCN service will include people with appointments through the national booking system as well as GP's own patients.
Under-30s are now receiving their invitations to book their jab, although they will only be given the Pfizer vaccine.
Clive Tracey, operational lead for the vaccination programme, said: "We are unbelievably proud of our vaccination team in Thanet, which has worked with the local PCN to deliver thousands of vaccinations.
"Once we have completed our second doses for the over 50s, our PCN colleagues will be taking over the site at Saga and will continue to offer vaccinations to all eligible adults, in line with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation guidance."
The mass vaccine centre opened at the former Saga centre in February, but in April people were unable to book their first injection with only scheduled second doses available due to a national reduction in vaccine supplies.
But from May 10, service resumed and first dose appointments were offered again.
Despite stopping its services completely in Thanet once second doses are finished, KCHFT will continue to operate vaccination sites in Chatham, Folkestone, Gravesend and Tonbridge
GP-led services in Thanet will continue at the Saga centre and these are run by two of the Isle's PCNs - Margate and Mocketts Wood, and Coastal and Rural East Kent.
Ramsgate PCN is running its vaccine programme from The Montefiore Medical Centre.
Some 162,716 people have now been vaccinated in the district - 71,233 have received both doses and 91,483 have had their first.
Craig Mackinlay, South Thanet MP, says thanks to the continued success of the vaccine programme huge progress is being made in emerging from the pandemic.
"Vaccines remain our best defence against the virus, and the case for getting vaccinated has never been clearer, which is why I am encouraging everyone when they get invited forward, to get the jab," he added.
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