Vaccination centre at Black Country Living Museum is a 'game changer'
A vaccination centre opening at the Black Country Living Museum has been described as a "game changer" in the fight against coronavirus.
The vaccination hub at the Tipton Road-based museum will open its doors on Monday.
People most at risk at complications from Covid-19 will be invited to the vaccination first. The centre will be in addition to GP-led vaccination services already running in the area, with people being sent letters from the National NHS Booking Service to access the museum site and other centres.
Sally Roberts, chief nurse at the Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG), said: "Across the Black Country and West Birmingham a great many people are working hard to roll-out vaccinations, starting with those most at risk.
"Our progress to date has been incredible and I am delighted that our first vaccination centre, which will be capable of delivering thousands more vaccines each week is going live.
“We know lots of people will be eager to get protected but please do not try to book or go to the vaccination centre before you receive a letter from the NHS booking service.
“Once you have an appointment to receive your vaccine, please arrive on time, there is no need to arrive for your vaccine earlier than your appointment time as this may result in you and others waiting longer than necessary.”
Andrew Lovett, Black Country Living Museum's chief executive, said: "By hosting the vaccine centre at the museum we are able to support the NHS in providing immunisation for the local community.
"People who book an appointment when they are eligible and receive the vaccine will be helping the NHS in the most important public health initiative it has ever undertaken.
"The vaccination programme is obviously a very important part of combatting the spread of Covid-19; although, in the meantime, continuing to adhere to restrictions and hygiene measures also remains critical.”
Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley Council's cabinet member for health and adult social care, added: "This is fantastic news – a real game changer in our fight across the borough against the coronavirus.
“Having the Black Country Living Museum on board as a vaccination centre will greatly increase the amount of jabs we can deliver, and the speed at which we can administer them. It will make people safer from this deadly virus more quickly.
“The NHS will be in touch with people as and when they become eligible for the vaccine via GPs, healthcare professionals and employers, and when you are invited to get yours, I would strongly advise you to have it.
“While you wait for your turn to have the vaccine, continue to do all you can to keep you and your loved ones safe. Wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering where required and maintain the two metre social distancing from people not in your household when in public spaces.
“We have always said we will beat this, and we are getting closer to that day. But we still need to remain vigilant.”
People are being urged not to attend without an appointment – and not to call the Black Country Living Museum to arrange an appointment as they cannot process it.
In order to help NHS staff manage queueing and registration, people are being asked to arrive at the vaccination centre no more than 10 minutes before their appointment. Before people enter the vaccination centre, details of their appointment will be confirmed and a temperature check made to ensure the centre is safe.
