Walk-in vaccine clinics this weekend
Three walk-in Covid-19 vaccination clinics aim to vaccinate thousands of people this weekend. Two in the Canterbury area and one in Ramsgate. By the end of this week, all adults aged over 18 will be eligible for the vaccine.
Saturday, 19 June - 10am to 5pm
@ The Sea Cadet site in Vauxhall Road, CT1 1ZN
For first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. No appointments. Parking is available nearby.
Saturday, 19 June - 9am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm
@ Saga Building, Holmes Way, CT12 5ZW
For first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Parking is available on site.
Sunday, 20 June - 8.30am to 7pm
@ Canterbury Christ Church University’s Augustine Hall, CT1 2YA
For first doses only of the Pfizer vaccine. The clinic is five minutes’ walk from both Canterbury East rail and bus stations. It doesn’t have parking on site but there are car parks nearby.
People who receive a first dose will be asked to book their second dose through the national booking service (online or by calling 119) a few days after this weekend’s clinics.
There may be queues outside, so people are asked to wear appropriate clothing and observe social distancing rules.
Vaccine rolling out to everyone 18+
The national booking service is opening up to people aged 18 to 23 in stages this week. As of today - Thursday 17 June - people aged 21+ can book. This will extend to everyone age 18 and over by the end of this week.
Second dose essential to protect against Delta variant
Latest research show people with both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are well protected against the Delta variant. Information from Public Health England shows Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are over 90 per cent effective against hospitalisation following two doses.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at PHE, said:
“These hugely important findings confirm the vaccines offer significant protection against hospitalisation from the Delta variant.
“The vaccines are the most important tool we have against COVID-19. Thousands of lives have already been saved because of them.
“It is absolutely vital to get both doses as soon as they are offered to you, to gain maximum protection against all existing and emerging variants.”
Find out more about the research here
The key to unlocking is in all our hands
Extended lockdown restrictions are an opportunity to be vaccinated. The more people who are fully protected with both doses, the sooner restrictions will be lifted.
Everyone aged over 40 is now encouraged to have the second dose eight weeks after the first one, rather than 12 weeks. Please check when your second dose is due and if you can, rebook for an appointment closer to eight weeks. The national booking service can now show availability of earlier dates before you cancel an existing appointment.
If you are eligible, but have not had a first dose, please consider booking. More than 72million Covid-19 vaccines have now been given across the UK. Evidence shows they are safe and effective. Covid-19 infection rates are rising and the virus remains dangerous; in terms of risk of long-term symptoms, hospitalisation, and death. Protect yourself, your loved ones and the most vulnerable people across society by being vaccinated.
Please keep it or cancel it
Whether it’s the weather, the football or it’s just slipped your mind - we’ve seen a number of missed appointments across our vaccination services in the past week; particularly for second dose appointments.
It is essential to have your second dose to maximise protection against the Delta variant; which is now the most common and rapidly spreading variant in the UK.
Boosting the number of people who are double vaccinated during the next month is vital to releasing us all from remaining lockdown restrictions. Please protect yourself with the vaccine and help the NHS vaccine teams.
If you cannot make an appointment, please make sure you cancel it so someone else can use the slot.