Mike Passfield, Clinical Operations Director for the large scale vaccination centres run by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk said:

“Following a successful campaign to protect local people from Covid-19 over the last two years, our temporary large-scale vaccination centres will close between 15 – 31 December 2022 after completion of the autumn booster programme.  This is in line with the timing of the national autumn booster programme.

“We would like to thank the amazing staff and volunteers for their dedication, compassion, and hard work that has helped to protect thousands of local people from Covid-19.  The staff working in our large-scale vaccination centres have unique skills and a commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of our local people which we are keen to retain in the local health and care system.  We are working with staff on fixed term contracts to identify future employment opportunities across our health and care partners and support the many bank staff and volunteers at the centres by sharing information and advice on alternative opportunities.”

The well-established Covid-19 vaccine programmes across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk will continue to operate from alternate locations so that those eligible for a vaccination will be able to receive these via pharmacies and other local services closer to people’s homes, including outreach programmes which provides vaccinations in community locations, care homes and for the housebound.

In addition to these services, a smaller Covid-19 vaccination service will operate from January to March 2023, five days a week at Castle Quarter Shopping Centre, Norwich, and Connaught Hall, Attleborough. 

Kate Keeling, Associate Director of Immunisation & Health Inclusion, NHS Norfolk and Waveney said:

“Firstly, we wish to thank everyone who has helped deliver the largest Vaccination Programme in NHS history. This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of staff and volunteers who have helped protect our local communities. 

“We have tried to be as flexible as possible and provide a service which is equitable, easy and convenient for local people to access and we continue to review the Programme to ensure it meets the needs of local people and communities as well as making the most effective use of public resources.

“Vaccinations continue to be offered at a range of sites; including some GP Practices, Large Vaccination Sites, Community Pharmacies and Hospital Hubs across Norfolk and Waveney.  Some of these sites are offering a walk-in option with no need to book. NHS Norfolk and Waveney can also provide a roving team where there is a need in order to make access to vaccinations easier and more convenient for local people.

If you are eligible, it is very important to have a vaccination to protect yourself, your family and the local community.”

Dr Fiona Head, Chief Medical Officer, NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: “Firstly, I would like to personally thank all our COVID-19 vaccination staff and volunteers at Cambridgeshire & Peterborough’s large vaccination centres. Thanks to their incredible efforts over the last two years, they have delivered over 1,050,000 vaccinations. This has made a significant impact on how many people have become severely unwell over the course of the pandemic.

“The autumn booster campaign is now nearing its conclusion, with opportunities for people to get their COVID-19 vaccinations via our range of other locations, including local pharmacies and our vaccination bus. So, if you haven’t had your autumn booster yet, there is still time to get vaccinated either by walking into our large centres before they close or booking via the National Booking Service at one of our other locations. Remember, getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against becoming very unwell from COVID-19.”

Background information

• Vaccinations continue to be the best form of protection from severe illness from Covid-19.  Anyone eligible is encouraged to walk-in or book an appointment for their autumn booster via www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119.  Primary 1^st and 2^nd vaccines also remain available.   Anybody who is immunosuppressed, is invited to walk into any of our centres for their booster, bringing with them a letter to confirm their status from an NHS professional. 

• The last day for delivery of Covid-19 vaccinations from individual vaccination centres are as follows (the closing time will be 4.00 pm at all of these centres): 

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough

• Horsefair Shopping Centre, Wisbech:                        15 December 2022
• Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough:           15 December 2022
• Chesterton Indoor Bowls Centre, Cambridge:           15 December 2022
• The Eatons Community Centre, Eaton Socon:          22 December 2022
• Oaktree Centre, Huntingdon:                                      30 December 2022
• The Grafton Centre, Cambridge:                                30 December 2022

Norfolk and Waveney

• Shakespeare’s Barn, Kings Lynn:                              15 December 2022
• City Hall, Norwich:                                                      30 December 2022 
• Paddock Road Surgery, Harleston:                            30 December 2022

A smaller Covid-19 vaccination service will operate from January to March 2023, five days a week at the following locations:

• Castle Quarter Shopping Centre , Norwich (Thursdays to Mondays, 8.30 am to 4.00 pm)
• Connaught Hall, Attleborough (Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4.00 pm)

• In Norfolk and Waveney, as well as the outreach programme and vaccination service at Castle Quarter and Connaught Hall, local people who are eligible for Covid-19 vaccinations will also be able to access these via GPs, Primary Care Networks, pharmacies and the WOW (wellbeing on wheels) bus which will tour local communities.

• The Integrated Care Boards have undertaken extensive modelling of resources and are confident that there is more than sufficient capacity via alternative providers to deliver Covid-19 vaccinations after December based on current eligibility criteria. 

• Integrated Care Boards are also developing surge plans should additional cohorts become eligible and/or the demand increase over the winter.  For the longer term, discussions are underway regarding potential models for the future delivery of vaccinations, including surges, after the Autumn booster programme is complete.