Dorset COVID-19 vaccination programme moves into next phase

Dorset health and care leaders are reviewing the way they deliver the COVID-19 vaccination programme after the success of the pre-Christmas push for people to get their booster.

With almost 85% of eligible Dorset adults now fully boosted against the virus the vaccination programme is now concentrating on specific groups like children and certain communities who have not taken up the vaccine.

With decreased bookings and walk-ins for vaccinations across the county, the temporary vaccination centre at Sentinel House in Poole closed on Friday for adult COVID-19 vaccinations.

The centre was set up within Dorset HealthCare’s headquarters in a matter of days following the Prime Minister’s 12 December announcement about an expanded booster programme.

Staff there have delivered 10,000 booster jabs plus a further 3,000 first or second jabs since the centre opened.

It has also been used for flu clinics for adults and children and will provide its last few children’s flu and COVID-19 vaccinations on 5 and 6 February.

To date 58% of children aged 12-15 have received their first dose (against a target of 60%), with 20% in this age group already receiving their second dose.

Dawn Dawson, Director of Nursing, Therapies and Quality for Dorset HealthCare, said: “Our teams did an amazing job to set up this additional centre so quickly and to run it efficiently over the last few weeks. We’re so grateful to all the staff and volunteers who have played a part.

“It’s right that we close the Sentinel House centre now but we will be able to set it up again quickly at short notice if the programme steps up again.”

Anyone who wants their vaccination – whether first, second or booster – can still get it. Dorset HealthCare continues to run vaccination centres at King’s Park Hospital in Bournemouth and Vespasian House, Dorchester.

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) run by local GPs are also running clinics when needed and are currently concentrating on vaccinations for clinically extremely vulnerable 5-11 year olds. There are also 15 community pharmacies across the county still offering jabs.

Booked appointments are available via the National Booking system and walk-ins are being offered at some sites. Find out more here: Vaccination sites in Dorset – NHS Dorset CCG.

Healthcare organisations are currently planning for the next phases of the programme as they await national guidance on what will be needed and to help make the pandemic an endemic through vaccinations.