18 April 2024

St Mary’s Vaccination Hub is getting ready to open its doors to the public as the COVID-19 spring vaccination programme gets underway.

People aged 75 years and older, residents in care homes and young people aged 6 months and over with severe immunosuppression will be offered a dose of COVID-19 vaccine this spring.

There are several ways to get a spring vaccination. Many people will be invited directly via their GP practice.   

But if you are eligible, you don’t need to wait to be invited, you can book using the National Booking System, by calling 119, or using the NHS App, until 30 June. 

St Mary’s Vaccination Hub will offer a walk-in service from Monday 22 April however, booking an appointment using the National Booking Service is advised to help keep waiting times down.

Sue Lightfoot, Clinical Lead, Hospital Vaccination Centre, said: “If you’re at increased risk of illness from COVID-19, getting a vaccination gives you good protection and helps to reduce your risk of getting seriously ill and needing hospital care or much worse. 

“The vaccine also reduces your risk of catching and spreading the virus and protects against the different strains of COVID that are circulating in our communities. Viruses are changing all the time and our protection fades over time, so these vaccinations are really important for people with severe immunosuppression.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming our Island community back to the Vaccination Hub at St Mary’s this spring as well as the roving clinics that we will be running at various community venues around the Island in June.”

From 22 April until 30 May, the Hub will be open on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7.45am to 5:45pm (closed on Bank Holidays).

From 1 June until 27 June, the Hub will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:45am to 1:45pm.

If you’re not sure if you have a condition that means you’re eligible for the vaccination, or you need help with booking an appointment, the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight COVID Vaccination Helpline team will be able to help via 0300 561 0018.