Drive-through flu vaccinations a “huge success”

SPA Medical Centre’s first-ever drive through flu vaccination has been hailed a “huge success”.

To help deliver the mass vaccination programme, the medical centre joined forces with Melksham Town Football Club to use their grounds – a partnership that has been described as an example of the “community coming together” at a “critical” time of year.

Practice manager, Gaynor Cole, told Melksham News, “I’m so pleased to say it was a huge success, the patients and staff loved it!   We recognised that in light of the risk of flu and Covid-19 co-circulating this winter, the national flu immunisation programme was absolutely essential to protect our vulnerable groups and support the resilience of the health and care system.   

“After weeks of preparation and planning we managed to deliver a very safe, socially distanced, well organised and efficient drive through clinic from the club’s car park. The weather was unseasonably hot for this time of year, so perfect to kick off our seasonal vaccination campaign.  

“It’s been a massive team effort and I’m very proud of how resilient and responsive the team – and patients –  have been to adapting to this year’s campaign. Thanks to all who have provided positive feedback and  messages of support congratulating us on the programme, it’s a real boost for morale!

“We’d like to thank Darren Perrin at the football club for being so responsive and accommodating in allowing us to use the facility and deliver a mass vaccination programme. 

“During what’s been a very challenging year for our patients and primary care team, it’s great to see the community coming together so positively to deliver a public health campaign at a critical time of year.”

This year, flu vaccinations have been described as “more important than ever” by Public Health England in order to avoid a double-hit to the NHS with a possible second wave of coronavirus set to impact on health services.

And this year, more people are eligible for a free flu vaccine as part of the government’s “most comprehensive flu vaccination programme in UK history”,  which they say will double the amount of vaccines administered from 15 million to 30 million people.

Spa Medical Centre has two more drive-through clinics planned for over 65s and over 18s in the eligible groups – Thursday 1st October and Thursday 21st October.

If you fall into one of the eligible categories please do phone the surgery on 01225 898008, or go online, to book your annual flu vaccination.  Eligibility criteria can be found at: www.spamedicalcentre.co.uk