BASINGSTOKE fire station vaccine site is set to close next week, it has been revealed.

Solent NHS Trust’s COVID-19 vaccination centre at Basingstoke Fire Station is encouraging anyone aged 16 and over, who is eligible for the jab, to come forward within the next week.

The centre based at the fire station has been offering residents first and second doses of Pfizer and AstraZeneca since February 1 2021.

But now the fire station will be handed back to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, with the last vaccinations at the station to be given given on Friday, September 10.

COVID-19 vaccinations will still available in Basingstoke from Jameson House on Lutyens Close in Chineham.

Angela Anderson, clinical director of the vaccination programme at Solent NHS Trust said: “We are incredibly grateful to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service who have been terrific partners throughout the vaccination programme.

“Basingstoke fire station has been a brilliant vaccination centre in the heart of the community and we’ve welcomed firefighters to our vaccination team. We also want to thank all the volunteers and staff who have worked at the Basingstoke vaccination centre since it opened in February of this year; it’s been incredible to see people’s positive responses when they’ve been vaccinated."

Angela added: “We need everyone to come forward and take up the offer of a jab which is why we are encouraging everyone aged 16 and over to get fully vaccinated.”

Station Commander at Basingstoke, Rich Oram, said: “Transforming our fire station into a vaccination centre has been a huge team effort involving many people across our organisation. We are so proud of the way everyone has come together to make this a success, from the firefighters who have worked as vaccinators, to our amazing NHS colleagues and all the many volunteers.

“So many people have worked tirelessly to ensure the station has continued to function and provide its operational cover and we must also thank our local community for their support.

“This has been a hugely important partnership between Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and the NHS.”

Meanwhile, Dr Nigel Watson, the clinical lead for the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, added: “We are extremely grateful for our colleagues at Solent Health Trust who have done a fantastic job in supporting the programme and providing the capacity we needed locally.”

The Basingstoke vaccination centre on West Ham Close is open every day for walk-ins or pre-booked appointments from 8am to 7.30pm until September 10.

The vaccinations are open to anyone over 16 years of age. First and second - if it has been at least eight weeks since the first dose - doses of Pfizer are available at Basingstoke Fire Station.