New Covid-19 mass vaccination centre at Stoneleigh Park now open

The new Covid-19 mass vaccination centre at Stoneleigh Park has now opened.

Last Friday (January 22) it was announced that the site would become one of the new mass vaccination sites in the UK.

The site is located at Hall 1 at the National Agricultural and Exhibition Centre (NAEC) Stoneleigh and opened for public vaccinations Today (Tuesday January 26).

The new centre is among more than 30 opening across the country as the vaccination drive continues to accelerate.

There is now a network of 50 large scale centres, capable of jabbing thousands of people a week, across the country.

People aged 75 and over are being invited to book a vaccination at the centres or one of more than 70 pharmacy services now operating across the country.

If they cannot or do not want to travel to a vaccination centre people can wait to be jabbed by a local GP service or hospital hub.

Mike Seaman, Director at NAEC Stoneleigh, said:“We are very proud to be able to support the NHS and their teams in delivering the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Warwickshire, providing a crucial service to thousands of people across the region.

“Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on lives and livelihoods and the opening of this mass vaccination centre represents a vital next step in the region’s recovery from the pandemic.

"We are delighted that NAEC Stoneleigh can play its part in making this happen.”

The centre will be operated on a strictly appointment only basis, with the NHS contacting people directly to book their appointments.

Mel Coombes, Chief Executive of NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust said: “We are delighted to be working together with our NHS colleagues to deliver the Covid-19 vaccine to our local communities.

"We are extremely proud of all our staff who have stepped up to be involved in the vaccination programme in the fight against this pandemic.

"We look forward to vaccinating as many people as possible within the next few weeks.”

Dr Sarah Raistrick, Chair of Warwickshire North Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “The opening of the NAEC Stoneleigh vaccination centre is another step forward in the delivery of vaccination programme across Coventry and Warwickshire.

"Can I remind patients that this is an optional choice, they can wait to have their vaccination closer to home at a GP led site.

"Your surgery will contact you and our advice is not to call the NHS, wait for us to contact you.”

NHS staff are working around the clock to vaccinate priority groups in line with the guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

That was restricted to those aged 80 along with care home residents and staff but the government has now opened vaccinations up to all those aged 70 and over and the clinically vulnerable.

Those aged 80 or over will continue to be prioritised for vaccination.

The latest openings mean that vaccinations are now available from more than 1,300 NHS sites.

Appointments are staggered to allow for social distancing and people are urged not to turn up early to avoid queues.

Nobody needs to contact the NHS, as people will be invited when it is their turn and people cannot get vaccinated by just turning up.

The centre is being managed by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) in partnership with the Clinical Commissioning Groups in Coventry, Rugby and Warwickshire.

For more information about the vaccination centre at NAEC Stoneleigh and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) go to: https://www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/stoneleigh-vaccination-centre