Coronavirus vaccination centre serving Sleaford patients reaches another major milestone

Just over six weeks since it celebrated reaching 100,000 covid vaccinations, the Meres Local Vaccination Centre (LVC) in Grantham has hit another huge milestone, reaching 150,000 vaccinations.
The local coronavirus vaccination centre at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre. EMN-210624-183432001The local coronavirus vaccination centre at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre. EMN-210624-183432001
The local coronavirus vaccination centre at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre. EMN-210624-183432001

Coming during the much heralded sprint phase of the covid vaccination programme across the country and in Lincolnshire, the team at the Meres have surged through 50,000 vaccinations to reach the 150,000 total in an incredibly short period of time.

“We can’t quite believe it, it hardly seems anytime at all since we were celebrating previous milestones at 50,000 and 100,000, and here we are having given another 50,000 vaccinations,” commented Darren Altus, Operations Director at K2 Healthcare, which has been running the scheme for Grantham and Sleaford Area Primary Care Networks of GP practices.

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“As I said before, it has been challenging, but the success of the vaccination rollout at the Meres LVC is down to the amazing team we have here, comprising health professionals and volunteers, who continue to surprise us with what they achieve day in, day out, seven days a week.

“I’m not going to lie, reaching 150,000 vaccinations has been extremely challenging, but we’ve thrown ourselves into this, aided and abetted by the thousands of people who have come to us for their vaccinations, as well as the numerous local businesses who have supported us from day one, and we are hugely grateful to all of them. It is remarkable to think that we are now vaccinating people aged 18 or over, compared to where we started.”

The latest milestone for the team at the Meres LVC not only coincides with the sprint to the end of the vaccination programme, but also comes on the eve of the ‘big weekend’, an NHS initiative over the coming weekend to further boost the number of people having their vaccination, which will involve various opportunities around the county for people to attend walk-in vaccinations, without the need to pre-book an appointment.

“We are nearly there and I would strongly encourage anyone who has not had either their first or second vaccination to book in as soon as possible. The Meres LVC is available to book online via the National Booking System, along with other sites in the county, and we have good availability for pre-booked appointments for the vaccination, including some extra appointments this weekend,” adds Darren.

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The 150,000 vaccinations is also being marked by an extremely generous offer from LeisureSK for the team of healthcare professionals and volunteers at the Meres LVC, who have announced they will offer one month’s free membership during July, enabling the team to use Leisure SK’s facilities free of charge.

You can find your NHS number online here www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/find-nhs-number/ and only attend if you are eligible – click the following link for more information on eligibility https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/

Walk-in vaccinations will be available over the weekend at the following locations:

The Arboretum (Monks Road entrance), Lincoln – mobile unit offering Pfizer walk-ins, first doses, 12pm-3pm Saturday June 26.

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Newlands Pharmacy, Lincoln – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins, first and second doses, 10am-2pm Sunday June 27.

PRSA MVC, Boston – offering Pfizer and AZ walk-ins (no individual choice of vaccine, will be administered according to JCVI guidance), first and second doses, 8am-7pm this Friday (today), Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Lincolnshire Showground MVC – offering AZ only walk-ins, first and second doses for people in cohorts 1-10/aged 40 and over, 8am-7pm Friday (today), Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Storehouse, Skegness – offering Pfizer walk-ins, first and second doses, 8.30am-5pm Friday (today), Saturday and Sunday.