THIS WEEK, the NHS Trust which runs the coronavirus vaccine hub at Basingstoke Fire Station has announced that its running a seven day trial of walk-in vaccines for eligible residents. 

We’ve compiled a handy list of everything you need to know about the scheme ...

 

What is the walk-in vaccination trial?

 

The seven-day trial will see walk-in vaccines offered to eligible people at four large-scale hubs run by Solent NHS Trust across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. 

David Noyes, chief operating officer at Solent NHS Trust, said: “We know that the vaccination programme is our way out of this pandemic. Opening the walk-in appointments at the four large-scale vaccination centres for this group of people will help us to vaccinate even more people with the highest need quicker. We are delighted to be able to offer this service for a trial period.”

 

Where is the trial taking place?

 

The walk-in vaccines will be offered at four existing large-scale Covid vaccination hubs.

These Solent NHS Trust run centres are: 

  • Basingstoke Fire Station
  • St James’s Hospital in Portsmouth 
  • The Riverside Centre in Newport on the Isle of Wight
  • Oakley Road in Millbrook, Southampton

 

Who is eligible for a walk-in vaccine?

 

The walk-in service is being offered to people in line with recommendations from the Join Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI):

  • People age 64 and over
  • People who have received a letter from the government saying they are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
  • Adults in receipt of Carer’s Allowance

Eligible people must bring proof of eligibility.

This could be a  shielding letter from the government, photo identification including date of birth, or Department of Work and Pensions letter for eligible carers, specifying in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.

People who are carers known to their local authority, or a local care organisation, but not in receipt of carers allowance, can be assured that they will also receive a vaccination. Local authorities will be contacting these individuals to arrange a vaccine appointment for them, please bear with them as they work through this process, they will be in contact as soon as possible.

 

When can I get my walk-in vaccine?

 

The trial has begun TODAY (Wednesday, February 24), and will last for seven days. 

For a trial period of seven days, walk-in appointments will be offered 7 days a week, between 12.30pm and 3.30pm.

 

How do the walk-in appointments work? 

 

To use the walk-in vaccine service, people will need to arrive at one of the four large-scale centres between 12.30pm and 3.30pm.

There may be a short wait for people to receive their vaccine.

Eligible people can now choose to either walk-in, or pre-book appointments by visiting www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, where they can choose a time slot and location that suits them.

Alternatively, they can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm, seven days a week.

Whilst visiting the centres, people are asked to follow all the guidance to control the virus and save lives –following the ‘hands, face, space’ guidance.