Melksham’s Covid vaccination programme comes to an end after two years – and 170,000 jabs

 THE local Covid vaccination programme at Spencer Sports & Social Club, finally closed its doors on 29th November.

Giffords, Spa and Bradford-on-Avon surgeries have delivered more than 117, 000 Covid vaccines to the local population and in turn, saved many lives since December 2020 during the programme, run by the Melksham and Bradford on Avon Primary Care Network (PCN)

GP partner at Giffords Surgery, Dr. Abby Burgess said, ‘It’s been an incredible 24 months since we started the vaccination programme from Spencer’s in Melksham.  It’s been hard work, but such an important service for our local community, which we are proud to have been able to offer.

“We have been so fortunate to have had the support of so many local people in running our vaccination centre. Over 150 people have volunteered with commitment, professionalism, and good humour.

“Our car park volunteers have worked and kept smiling despite freezing, wet and dark conditions, only needing the odd cup of steaming hot tea to keep going. Our stewards have guided, welcomed, and enabled every clinic to run smoothly, whilst facilitating a great patient experience. Our vaccinators and consenters have safely given vaccines in huge numbers, with the support of our experienced pharmacy team who have mixed, drawn up and organised the vaccine deliveries.

“Behind the scenes the Covid team have attended many meetings, worked closely with our intermediate care board, co-ordinated and delivered the programme seven days a week, often responding to government announcements late of an evening after a full day’s work. My particular thanks to Chris Glass (lead pharmacist) and Tina Symons (clinical lead) for being such Covid superheroes over the last two years.

“Uptake of Covid vaccinations is now very low and it is time to bring the programme to an end. We would like to thank everyone who has helped us on this vaccination journey – without you it simply would not have been possible, you are all amazing. The support and positive feedback from our patients have been wonderful and so appreciated.

“The PCN wish all our patients, volunteers, and staff, a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.”

If you need a Covid vaccine or a booster form now on, please visit Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk) or phone 119. Please do not call your GP practice as they won’t be able to book this for you.

Some facts about

Melksham’s Covid-19 vaccination programme

• 117,750 total Covid vaccines plus around 20,000 flu vaccines over the past two seasons. These were made up of • Astra Zeneca – 24, 975 • Moderna Original – 4,339 • Moderna Bivalent (Spike Vax) – 8,577 • Pfizer Original -70,788 • Pfizer Bivalent (Comirnaty) – 7,383 • Pfizer Child – 1,688 .
• 41 Litres of the Covid-19 vaccine used!!
• Date of the first vaccine? Monday 21 December 2020