York jabs centre to open from 6am to 11pm later this week

Teams at Nimbuscare's centre at the former Askham Bar Park & Ride site are preparing to work from 6am until 11pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in an attempt to ensure that people get their second jabs sooner than originally planned.

A spokesperson said Nimbuscare had decided to lay on the 17-hr vaccination sessions for the local vaccination service, in the tents, to make sure people were protected as quickly as possible.

They said text messages were going out to some York people this week, inviting them come early to the 'Red Tent' for their second dose vaccinations.

Prof Mike Holmes, chair of Nimbuscare, said the decision meant more people could be protected, helping them to get ahead of the virus.

"We’re planning to vaccinate more than 38,000 people before the end of the month – a record number for the Nimbuscare team," he said.

“We currently vaccinate one in every 250 people in the country, here at Askham Bar, York - that’s more than 220,000 people so far.

"Our teams of clinicians, volunteers and administrators are the best and it’s pleasing to see how willing they were to sign up to work this weekend."

He urged anyone receiving a text inviting them to book their jab earlier than expected to make sure they made their appointment and took the chance to get a slot this weekend.

He stressed that this was for people in cohorts 1-9 who had already received a first dose of the vaccine.

"This means people aged over 50yrs, or anyone in priority groups 1-9, can have their second dose at 8 weeks, according to the new JCVI advice," he said.

"If you have already had your jab as part of the York local vaccination service, please wait to receive your text to invite you to book and don’t contact your GP surgery."

Prof Holmes added that if people had booked their second dose appointment online via nhs.uk, with the national booking service, they could contact 119 to bring forward the appointment.