New COVID-19 vaccination centre opens in Dunstable

The site is one of 18 new NHS vaccination centres that open this week in England
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A new COVID-19 vaccination centre has opened in Dunstable today (Thursday).

Dunstable residents aged 70 and over are amongst those being invited to book a coronavirus vaccination at Watling House from today. This is one of 18 new NHS vaccination centres that open this week in England.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

People aged 70 and over can now contact the NHS so they can be vaccinated.

Vaccine stock imageVaccine stock image
Vaccine stock image

The easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national booking service which can be accessed here.

The system allows patients to choose a time slot and location that suits them. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.

Anyone attending for a vaccine appointment is asked to arrive just before the time of their appointment to avoid the need to wait to be seen and to help us maintain social distancing at the vaccination centre.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As well as the vaccination centres and pharmacy vaccination services, there are now more than 1,000 GP services and over 250 hospital sites offering vaccinations in England.

Health and social care staff working nearby will also be able to receive their vaccination at Watling House.

The vaccination centre at Watling House is being run by Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (HCT) working with Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) partners, drawing on its proven track record of delivering local vaccination programmes in the East of England.

The BLMK and HCT team has set the centre up with the support of Central Bedfordshire Council who are hosting the service.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In addition, the Red Cross are supplying wheelchairs, BLEVC volunteers have all been integral in setting up the site successfully and several Easy Jet staff who are a brilliant addition to the workforce with good customer service skills and a real can do attitude to taking on anything that is asked of them.

Dr Sarah Whiteman, the Medical Director and putative Chair of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes CCGs said: “We have been working hard with our partner organisations in the lead up to opening the centre today.

"We can now welcome local people in the prioritised age groups with confirmed appointments to receive their vaccine, along with health and social care workers from across our area.

"This represents another step forward in helping to beat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"My sincere thanks go to everyone, volunteers, partners and NHS staff who have worked around the clock to deliver this programme.”

Cllr Tracey Stock, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Communities added: “I’m delighted that Central Bedfordshire residents have another vaccination centre opening at Watling House, and would urge anyone aged over 70 to take up the offer.

"Along with Priory House opening last week, this represents another move towards in helping to beat the COVID-19 pandemic.

"My sincere thanks goes to everyone involved in delivering this programme.”