Milton Keynes residents start receiving invitations to major vaccine center in Stevenage – MKFM 106.3FM

Some Milton Keynes residents have started receiving invitations to the large vaccine center that opened in Stevenage.

The site is one of seven major vaccination centers opening this month across the UK, with other sites in locations including the London Excel Center and the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

Anyone aged 80 or over who lives within a 45 minute drive of the center will be invited to arrange a meeting.

Nurses, doctors, physios and other NHS staff working nearby are also being picked up at the centers, along with social care and care home staff.

Some local Milton Keynes residents have been vaccinated at local centers such as Milton Keynes Hospital and Water Eaton in Bletchley, and residents can continue to use local facilities if they prefer.

NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes CCG said: “If you are over 80 and have received a letter today in Bedford, Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes inviting you to order the covid vaccine at center outside your area, don’t worry. “

“This is an invitation to a regional vaccination center.”

“You can book a place to go to the center, or go to a center closer to your home. GPs are delivering vaccines and in the coming weeks, more local centers will open.”

“If your vaccination was quicker closer to home you don’t have to do anything. Your doctor will contact you.”

Anyone who is eligible for a slot at the Stevenage center can book using the national online registration system or over the phone.

The major vaccination centers are part of the government’s plan to vaccinate 12 million people by mid-February.

The latest figures show that the first dose of vaccine was given to nearly 1.3 million people on 3 January.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “With sensible issues at the highest levels and the horrific number of people losing their lives to this terrible disease, we once again urge everyone to stay at the house to stop the spread and protect our NHS. “

“Our plan is to vaccinate as many people as possible in the United Kingdom as soon as we can. And with more than 1,000 vaccination sites across the country, including seven major vaccination centers, we will help protect hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people over the coming weeks as we accelerate to offer the injection in England to 12 million people by mid-February. “

“We have very challenging weeks ahead, but today marks another major step forward in the race to protect the public, and defeat the virus.”

NHS national medical director, Professor Stephen Powis, said: “The coronavirus vaccination program, the largest in the history of the NHS, is off to a strong start.”

“With the advent of more vaccines we are accelerating the pace of the program and these large-scale NHS vaccines are an important new way for people to get their life-saving injection, along with our doctors. family and hospital services. “

“NHS staff under severe pressure with a sharp rise in coronavirus infections are leaving the highest numbers requiring hospital treatment but are still pulling out all the stops to deliver Covid’s job so as soon as we can. ”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Through our vaccine delivery plan we have given the first dose to more than 1.2 million people in England and are mobilizing the government, the NHS and the armed forces as part of great national effort. “

“Vaccination centers are an important milestone and will help spread more quickly. “

“They work hand in hand with GPs, pharmacies, hospitals and care homes to offer vaccines to everyone in the four main groups, saving thousands of lives and helping us get back to normal. future. ”

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