'It's such a good feeling': Third South Tyneside Covid vaccination centre starts to welcome a patients
The third vaccination centre is now operational as the campaign to fight coronavirus picks up pace – with a patient being seen every 90 seconds.
Health bosses in the borough say the clinic at Cleadon Park in South Shields will help the programme to cover as many people as possible against Covid-19.
It joins Flagg Court in the town and The Glen in Hebburn, which have been providing the jab since December.
Matt Brown, executive director of Operations at NHS South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group, was among the helpers on the centre’s first day.
He said: “It’s such a good feeling - the team are working unbelievably hard and people are so happy to get their vaccine.
“The process flows so well and a lot of people remarked on how smoothly it is working.
"Each of our centres is now vaccinating one person every 90 seconds throughout the day, but still finding the time to help older people through the process.
“We are hoping to give the first dose to all our over-80s within the next week or so, except where there are medical reasons why they can’t have one right now.
“We’re also making great progress in care homes, with first doses complete in all but three of our local homes.
“Our colleagues at the hospital trust are working fast to give the jab to frontline healthcare staff, and we are aiming to vaccinate all social care workers at local centres over the next two weeks.
“Now that we have supplies of the Oxford/Astra Zeneca vaccine, which is easier to transport, we are planning to reach people who are housebound over the next few weeks.
“Some people will also receive invitations to the mass vaccination centre at the Centre for Life in Newcastle, but you can still choose to attend the vaccine centre in your local area if that is more suitable for your needs.
“Overall, South Tyneside is well placed to reach the top four priority groups by mid-February, which is great news.”
Every area is providing the vaccine in line with strict national guidelines for priority groups.