North East Nightingale vaccine centre near Sunderland to close this week

The Wearside centre, which is near Sunderland, is closing its doors tomorrow (Thursday) as the NHS moves to a more “business as usual” approach.

It follows the closure of the large vaccination centre at the Arnison Centre, in Durham, last week.

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Professor Neil Watson, who heads up the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme for the North East and North Cumbria, said: “Working closely with our health and care partners, it’s clear there is sufficient capacity within primary care and community pharmacy to vaccinate the eligible population for both annual flu and Covid-19 in the future.

“In addition we will continue our targeted programme of roving and pop clinics across the region in partnership with local authorities and communities.  

“As a result there won’t be a requirement to run large capacity vaccination centres at the NHS Nightingale North East and the Durham Arnison Centre.

Large vaccination centres remain at Centre for life in Newcastle, Darlington arena and Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough.

More than 300,000 people in the region are eligible for a spring booster jab, which are available to people over the age of 75, care home residents and people with weakened immune systems in line with the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Immunisations & Vaccinations (JCVI).

Children aged 5 to 11 will be eligible for a vaccine this week and parents can make a booking for their child from Saturday  April, 2.

Prof Watson said: “As the public would expect us to, we have contingency plans which mean we can step up significant capacity to vaccinate the  population if it is required and would include more roving and pop up services which would be more accessible for local communities, and build on the enormous experience, good will and the expertise vaccination services have gained over the last 16 months.”

The NHS paid tribute to all those who have been involved in the programme, including GP surgeries, community pharmacy teams, hospitals, the ambulance service, school vaccination services, local authority public health teams, community and voluntary sectors, which have now vaccinated a majority of people in the region against Covid.  

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Research by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimates that since mid-December 2021 some 157,000 hospitalisations have been prevented by booster doses. 

Professor Neil Watson said: “We know that Covid-19 cases are still very active making many people very unwell  in our region.

“Getting your spring booster will help increase your protection and reduce your risk of being admitted to hospital with COVID-19.”

“People are being prioritised according to when they had their previous booster and by clinical need so please wait to hear and do not contact your GP practice or other NHS services.

"We will be contacting people who had their last dose around six months ago from now and until the early summer, so there is no need to worry if you don’t hear anything straight away.”

The NHS is still offering first and second doses, as well as first boosters for anyone who has not yet had theirs.

You can find your nearest walk-in clinic on your local authority website or book an appointment at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119 free of charge.

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