Walk-in vaccine appointments at Steam available

NHS bosses say being vaccinated against covid has never been easier.

Steam in Swindon and other vaccination centres in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group area are among those for which a pre-booked appointment is no longer required.

It is hoped that by removing the booking process, people who may have been putting off getting vaccinated - perhaps due to work, home or other commitments - will find it easier to get protected.

New figures for the region show that while around 85 percent of all eligible adults have now had a first, second and booster vaccination, tens of thousands of people are still yet to receive a single vaccine.

There are more than 35,500 adults in Wiltshire who are completely unvaccinated, with a further 25,536 in Bath and North East Somerset and 22,847 in Swindon.

This means that around one out of every ten people across the region is without any form of vaccination.

Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality, said: “In no way do we wish to marginalise those who are yet to be vaccinated, which is why we are doing all we can to make it as easy as possible for people to receive the vaccine.

“Our large vaccination sites in Bath, Swindon and Salisbury, along with many other of our more community-based sites, continue to welcome people with and without appointments who are in need of a first, second or booster dose.

“We understand that some people have concerns about the vaccine, and we are here to help provide clarity and reassurance, but we also know that the majority of people currently very sick in our hospitals are those who have so far not been vaccinated.

“At this incredibly busy time, it’s important we all play a part in supporting our local NHS, and one simple way of doing that is by having the covid-19 vaccine.”

Dr Michael Marsh, NHS England and NHS Improvement South West Medical Director, said: 

“It is never too late to get your vaccination. The threat of serious illness and death from Covid-19 for those unvaccinated or are yet to get their booster is very real.

“Vaccine is being taken to the communities of low uptake with pop up clinics being held to make it as easy as possible for everyone to access a life-saving vaccine. 

“Teams have held clinics for fishermen on the docks on Cornwall, taken vaccines to the Amazon Warehouse in Bristol as well as specific clinics for travellers and for those who are homeless. Together we will continue to do all we can to make it easy for people to have a vaccination.   

“If you are yet to get your first, second or booster dose please, I urge you, to come forward and give yourself the best protection against Covid-19.” 

Across the region vaccine ambassadors are having conversations on a daily basis with people who have doubts about getting vaccinated. Their job is to listen to their concerns and direct them to information from trusted sources."

Those who are due to receive their booster vaccine, which for most people will be a third dose, are also encouraged to make use of the walk-in offers available across the region.

All sites offering vaccinations without an appointment are listed online at www.nhs.uk, with local walk-in venues also highlighted through the CCG’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Further information can be found at www.bswccg.nhs.uk