Upcoming Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine clinics

Extra vaccination clinics are being held next week as the drive to increase Covid-19 vaccination take-up and stop the spread of the virus continues.

The Rochdale Care Organisation, which runs Rochdale Infirmary and community services, is inviting people from Rochdale to come and get their first dose of Pfizer vaccine at one of a number of community drop in clinics at Rochdale Infirmary between Tuesday (22 June) and Friday (25 June).

These clinics are for first vaccine doses only and no appointment is necessary, people can just drop in at any time while the clinic is open.

Those attending the Rochdale Infirmary drop in clinics must be 18 or over, must not have already had their first vaccine and not already have an appointment booked in anywhere else.

If you are unsure if you are eligible then you are encouraged to attend the clinic and the staff will be able to advise.

If you want to get your vaccine at one of the drop in clinics, you must also be registered with a GP in the borough of Rochdale.

Those attending the drop in clinics should bring their NHS number if possible, which can be found on the NHS website or a recent NHS letter.

The drop in clinics at Rochdale Infirmary are open on the following dates and times.

• Tuesday 22 June 8.30am - 7.30pm
• Wednesday 23 June 8.30am - 3.30pm
• Thursday 24 June 10.30am - 7.00pm
• Friday 25 June 8.30am - 1.30pm

Access to the walk in clinics is from the Rochdale Infirmary Outpatients Entrance on Quarry Street.

For more information email rochdale.vaccinations@pat.nhs.uk.

Dr Shona McCallum, Medical Director at Rochdale Care Organisation, said: “If you are eligible and have not yet had your first Covid vaccine then I would encourage you to come along to one of the drop in sessions running at Rochdale Infirmary to get your vaccine asap. “Now is a good time to have this done to help stop the spread of the new variant. We are looking forward to welcoming you at one of our clinics and helping you protect yourself, your family and friends from Covid.”

Additionally, two AstraZeneca clinics will take place on Wednesday 23 June at Kashmir Youth Project and Wednesday 30 June at Wardleworth Community Centre.

These two clinics are for first vaccines for people aged 40 and over, and second vaccines for people aged 40 and over if more than 8 weeks since your first vaccine.

• 23 June at Kashmir Youth Programme, Belfield Road, Rochdale OL16 2UP from 1pm to 3pm
• 30 June at Wardleworth Community Centre, South Street, Rochdale, OL16 2EP from 1pm to 3pm

You do not need an appointment to attend any of the vaccine clinics.

From today (Friday 18 June), anyone over 18 can book a vaccination through the national system via the NHS website. People who have not yet been vaccinated should soon start receiving text messages inviting them to book.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is still considering whether children should be vaccinated and has still to make a decision on whether booster jabs will be given later in the year.

As yet, no Moderna clinics have been arranged.