You can get vaccinated on a bus as one of Berkshire’s councils will be dispatching a special ‘vaccine bus’ to speed up the jabbing process in its area.
The bus will work as a mobile vaccination centre and will be rocking up in two locations for people to get their jab.
The NHS ‘Health on the Move’ Covid-19 vaccine bus will be at Asda Lower Earley in Chalfont Way, on Saturday, July 17, Sunday, July 18 and Monday, July 19.
It will then go to Norreys Church in Norreys Avenue, Wokingham on Tuesday, July 20 and Wednesday, July 21.
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There will be 120 doses of the Pfizer vaccine available each day and given on a first come-first services basis. People can get the vaccinations on demand, there is no need to book in advance. Those hoping for a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine must have an eight-week gap since their first and bring their vaccine card with them.
People are encouraged to bring proof of age. If you are not able to get a jab at these sites you can still book your first or second dose of the vaccine through the NHS website.
If you need to give satnavs or mapping systems to get to these locations, the postcode for Asda Lower Earley is RG6 5TT and the postcode for Norreys Church is RG40 1UU. Drivers have been told to be aware that there is no official parking in Norreys Avenue, and must therefore be mindful of neighbours.
The service is being run by the NHS and Wokingham Borough Council. According to Government statistics, 84.6 per cent of the adult population of Wokingham Borough have had their first does of the coronavirus vaccine, and 62.8 per cent of adults have also had their second dose.
Figures for areas throughout England can be viewed on the Government’s interactive vaccination map.
Councillor Charles Margetts, the Conservative executive member for health, wellbeing and adult social care at Wokingham Borough Council said vaccination uptake has been lower in the areas the bus will be going to.
The Government’s map also shows vaccination figures by hyper neighbourhoods known as Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs), which can be found by typing a postcode into the map.
Asda Lower Earley is in the Lower Earley North neighbourhood. Here, 75.5 per cent of adults have had their first vaccine and 52.8 per cent have had their second jab.
Meanwhile, Norreys Church is in the Wokingham Town neighbourhood, where 83.1 per cent of adults have had their first vaccine and 59.7 per cent have had the second one.
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Cllr Margetts said: “Following the success of our pop-up vaccination clinic at Bulmershe Leisure Centre last month, we’re really pleased to be bringing the NHS vaccine bus to the borough this weekend. Especially with restrictions easing from next week.
“Our data tells us that uptake of the vaccine is lower in these areas, so we’ve worked proactively with the NHS to make it as easy as possible for local people to come and get vaccinated. Everyone in the borough can also continue to book in for their first or second doses of the vaccine at nearby mass vaccination sites through the NHS website.
“As we head into the busier summer months and engage in more social activities, it’s really important that all adults over the age of 18 come forward for the vaccine. Doing so ensures you have maximum protection against this nasty virus; helping to slow the spread and keep everyone safe. Let’s all continue to play our part and enjoy the summer safely.”
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