Barrow school becomes vaccine clinic in Christmas holidays

Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership media release

Schools may have closed for Christmas, but one school in Barrow is remaining open.

Furness Academy School is this week welcoming people through the doors to receive their Covid vaccinations.

The vaccine clinic at the school in Park Drive opened yesterday and is open again today and tomorrow from 10am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 4pm both days.

Dr Lauren Dixon, Barrow GP and GP Executive Lead for Integrated Care at NHS Morecambe Bay CCG, said: “This is the first time we’ve held a vaccine clinic in a school in Barrow, and it made sense to do it when there is such a drive to provide as many booster vaccinations as possible. It’s a great, modern facility that is easily accessible.

“We want to vaccinate as many people as possible ahead of the festive period, and anyone over 18 can attend the walk-in clinic, for a first or second dose, as well as their booster – providing there has been sufficient time between doses.”

Burnett Edgar Medical Centre on Walney has also operated as a vaccine clinic yesterday and again today, from 9.30am to 1pm.

The addition of new clinics and extended opening hours across sites will help the NHS vaccination programme offer every adult the chance to book a COVID-19 booster vaccine by the end of the year in a race to protect the nation against the Omicron variant.

Jane Scattergood, Senior Responsible Officer for the Lancashire and South Cumbria Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, is urging people to get their booster jab without delay.

She said: “The NHS is working closely with all its partners on a rapid response to the new omicron variant of the virus in order to protect our local residents. We have plenty of vaccine for everyone and have made it as easy as possible for them to come forward to be vaccinated.

"A huge thank you to all of our staff and partners who are working hard on the delivery of this next phase of the vaccination programme and are helping to protect our residents and their loved ones.”

The vaccine clinics at Furness Academy and Burnett Edgar Medical Centre are open to walk-ins, and further details of who is eligible and when and where you can book your vaccine can be found at: www.healthierlsc.co.uk/getmyjab