Bradford and Craven’s vaccination programme gains further momentum this week with the opening of a new NHS Covid-19 vaccination centre at Jacob’s Well car park in Bradford, on Monday 1 February.

Large vaccination centres are part of NHS plans to step-up capacity and roll out the vaccine more widely to help save lives, complementing the local vaccination services being provided by groups of GPs for their patients.

The centres have been located in areas with good public transport links or parking facilities, and in venues that allow flexibility for services to be expanded as required.

People in the nationally agreed priority groups who live 30 to 45 minutes drive from the Jacob’s Well centre will be sent a letter from the NHS national booking service inviting them for a vaccination. This will explain how to book appointment at any of the centres that are open, including community pharmacies.

Appointments are staggered to allow for social distancing and people are asked not to arrive too early before their pre-booked appointment.

If people prefer, they can wait to receive an invitation from their local GP-led service.

The Jacob’s Well vaccination centre is being run by Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust. Phil Hubbard, the Trust’s director of nursing, professions and care standards commented: “This new vaccination centre is part of a district-wide programme which has seen NHS organisations across Bradford and Craven working with partners, to ensure we can continue to move at pace to roll-out vaccinations.

“We’re grateful to Bradford Council for the site and thank all those who have been involved in setting up the facility, alongside all the staff who will be working at Jacob’s Well, to help ensure we can vaccinate as many people as possible.”

Vaccinations are currently being offered to people in the first four priority cohorts identified by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) – care home residents and staff, people aged 70 and over, and people who are extremely clinically vulnerable, as well as frontline health and care workers. The aim is to offer first vaccinations to everyone in these groups by mid-February.

Nobody needs to contact the NHS about a vaccination, as people will be invited to receive one when it is their turn. Vaccinations are by appointment only so will not be available to people who just turn up.

When contacted about a vaccine, the NHS is urging people to ensure that they attend their appointment. Anyone who is unable to travel or would prefer not to do so can wait to be contacted by their local GP-led service.

People who book into a vaccine centre will be greeted by staff and volunteers who will marshal car parking and walkways and register them when they arrive. Each person will receive a pre-vaccination assessment before they have their jab.

Sarah Muckle, director of public health at Bradford Council, commented: “We’ve all seen in the news the effect that the new variant is having and the resultant increase in Covid-19 cases, so we’re fully supporting our NHS colleagues on the vaccination programme.

“We do however urge everyone not to let their guard down. Even those who have had a vaccine should continue to follow the guidance by staying at home as much as possible and following the ‘hands, face, space’ guidance when out and about, to save lives.”