A NEW scheme which will see a bus travel around Warrington offering coronavirus vaccines has been hailed as a ‘fantastic’ initiative which will break down barriers.
The vaccination bus will go out into communities to administer jabs to people who are already due to have their vaccine but have not been able to attend a vaccination centre.
The Central and West Warrington Primary Care Network and NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are working alongside Warrington’s Own Buses and Warrington Borough Council to take the coronavirus vaccine out into the community on a bus.
Anyone who is currently eligible for the vaccine in line with the national priority groups can get their first dose on the bus at one of the upcoming sessions.
Warrington's Own Buses staff receive their vaccines by the vaccination bus team
The bus will only be able to vaccinate people in open cohorts – those who are aged 42 or over, have a pre-existing health condition putting them in an ‘at-risk’ group, work in health and social care or are an unpaid carer.
The first come, first serve initiative will only be administering first doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, and anyone under the age of 30 who is eligible via one of the currently open cohorts will not be able to be vaccinated.
The bus will be making stops across the borough from Monday, May 10, with details of specific dates, timings and more locations set to be released in the coming weeks.
In addition to these sessions, the council is also sourcing local businesses who are seeking help to vaccinate as many of their eligible employees as possible at workplaces across the borough.
Businesses that have staff eligible to be vaccinated but who have not been able to attend a vaccination centre will be considered. To declare interest, email publichealth@warrington.gov.uk
New Covid vaccination bus to break down barriers by making jabs more accessible
Dr Laura Mount, Warrington GP and clinical director of the Orford Jubilee Hub vaccination site, praised the launch of the scheme.
“This is a fantastic initiative to help make the vaccine more accessible by taking it out into local communities,” she said.
“We are hoping we will be able to break down any barriers people may have faced after being invited for their jab by making getting vaccinated more accessible, which in turn will help to address some existing health inequalities in the borough.
“Due to the incredible efforts since the launch of the programme, thousands of people have already received their vaccination in Warrington, and I would encourage everyone who is eligible to take up the offer.
New Covid vaccination bus to break down barriers by making jabs more accessible
“Our amazing team of vaccinators, clinic co-ordinators and volunteers will be on board our new bus, provided by Warrington’s Own Buses, to travel to different locations around the town.
“If you are in one of the eligible groups, please keep an eye on the CCG and council websites and social media channels for more information over the next few weeks.”
The project launched last week, with the first stop being Warrington’s Own Buses depot off Bridgefoot, to ensure all eligible bus drivers had received their first jab.
Ben Wakerley, managing director of Warrington’s Own Buses, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the NHS on this project to help get as many people as possible vaccinated.
“It was really helpful that the bus came to us at the depot so that eligible drivers could easily access the vaccine at work.
New Covid vaccination bus to break down barriers by making jabs more accessible
“It has provided peace of mind that drivers, as key workers who have continued to work throughout the pandemic, have been vaccinated against the virus, and we also had the opportunity to vaccinate some staff who have signed up as volunteers to support the vaccination programme.
“Please be on the lookout for our vaccination bus coming to a location near to you very soon.”
If you do not want to wait for the bus, and you are aged 42 or over or in one of the other eligible groups, you can book your vaccine appointment at a local vaccination centre.
It is quick and easy to book – simply contact your GP practice, visit the national booking service at nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or call 119.
WATCH LIVE: Don’t miss our Warrington Guardian Lockdown Heroes Awards this Friday, April 30 from 7pm. Click here to go to our awards site
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