New vaccination centres to open across Cheshire

A new vaccination centre will open at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall, near Cheshire Oaks, on Monday 21 June and three new pharmacy sites so people can get their life-saving COVID-19 jab.

Services will relocate from the NHS COVID-19 vaccination centre at Chester Racecourse when the centre closes from Saturday 19 June.

This is part of planned changes to Cheshire’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme that also include opening of an additional three pharmacy-led sites at:

• Northwich Vaccination Centre, Hartford Methodist Church, Beach Road, Hartford, Northwich, CW8 3AB
• Well Pharmacy (Barnton), Broadway, Barnton, Northwich, CW8 4LF
• Tesco Pharmacy, Vernon Way, Crewe, CW1 2DD

Each of the vaccination services will help to make it convenient for eligible people to access the vaccine closer to where they live.

The Ellesmere Port site has extensive transport links and will provide an accessible, convenient location for people to get their vaccine when they are invited to do so.

People who booked their first/second dose at Chester Racecourse will have their appointment automatically transferred to Ellesmere Port Civic Hall and will receive an email or text confirming the new location.

Vaccines are safe and provide key protection from coronavirus, so far more than 50 million people across the country have received at least one dose of the vaccine, including over 1 million people in Cheshire and Merseyside.

Sheena Cumiskey, CEO for Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, who have led operations at the Racecourse, said: "CWP are very proud to play our part, and we would like to thank Chester Racecourse for accommodating the vaccination centre over the last few months, their help and support has been truly invaluable to help protect the communities we serve.

“In the last three months we are proud to have vaccinated over 55,000 people thanks to NHS staff and volunteers doing an incredible job to deliver the largest vaccination programme in health service history, and the positive feedback from local people for the running of the vaccination centre has been fantastic.

“The centre has utilised a network of over 650 volunteers who have filled over 6,000 shifts – including staff from the NHS, Cheshire and Merseyside Fire Service, St Johns Ambulance and Chester Racecourse.

“We look forward to being able to continue to offer this to our wider population, in line with the JCVI guidance.”

Facilities and Security Manager of Chester Race Company, Neil Farmer, said: “We have been delighted to support the NHS in their roll out of the biggest and most successful vaccine roll out in NHS history and we’re proud to have played our part. I would like to say thank you to all of our staff and volunteers who helped us through this extremely difficult time.”

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Louise Gittins, said: “We’re really enthusiastic about the next phase of the vaccination programme in Cheshire and I would like to encourage everyone to book their COVID-19 vaccination appointment when they become eligible.”

People aged 32 and above who have not had their COVID-19 vaccination can book an appointment at Cheshire’s vaccination services via www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, where they can choose a time slot and location that suits them.

People who are eligible, but without online access, can call 119 to book a jab free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. People are also able to book appointments on behalf of people they care for if they are unable to do it themselves.

Appointment slots are continually added for people who are eligible to book through the national booking services, we would advise people to keep checking as availability is updated regularly.

Please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to, and make sure you come back for your second dose.

People who booked online can remind themselves of the place and time of their second dose using the ‘manage my appointments’ section on:

www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

All vaccination centres are staffed by clinicians, trained vaccinators, administrative staff and a range of volunteers who help make a visit run as smoothly and safely as possible. For further information about what you need to bring to your appointment, what to do if you get COVID-19 symptoms, and directions to Ellesmere Port Civic Hall please visit our website www.cwp.nhs.uk.

The Chester Racecourse COVID-19 vaccination centre is currently scheduled to close on Saturday 19 June with the vaccination centre at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall, near Cheshire Oaks, scheduled to go live on Monday 21 June. 

More information about Cheshire’s COVID-19 vaccination programme is available here:

https://www.cheshireccg.nhs.uk/news/news-stories/covid-19-vaccination-programme-what-you-need-to-know/

Advice to people travelling to Ellesmere Port Civic Hall by public transport, cycling, walking or by car will be made available to ensure safe and convenient access.