The mass vaccination centre at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium marked 12 months of providing life-saving Covid-19 jabs this week.
Around 140,000 vaccinations have been delivered since the NHS centre at the stadium opened its doors on February 1, 2021.
Staff from social enterprise and NHS provider Locala Health and Wellbeing have delivered 140,000 vaccinations at the centre, in partnership with Local Care Direct, Curo Health GP Federation, Calderdale and Huddersfield FT, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, and the stadium itself.
The John Smith’s centre was one of four opened across West Yorkshire in early 2021 to offer thousands of appointments at convenient locations.
The others were at Navigation Walk, Wakefield; Jacob’s Well, Bradford; and Elland Road Stadium, Leeds. These were followed by an additional centre at Airedale General Hospital later in the year.
Steve Brennan, senior responsible officer for the Kirklees Vaccination Programme, paid tribute to the hard work of staff and volunteers and said: “The large-scale vaccination centres have been instrumental in the vaccine rollout and getting people across the region vaccinated as quickly as possible.
“Thanks to the efforts of NHS staff and partners, thousands of people across West Yorkshire have been protected against Covid-19 and reduced their risk of dying or being admitted to hospital.”
“Unfortunately, our lives continue to be affected by this virus, and I’d urge anyone who hasn’t had all or any of their jabs to come forward.
“Every vaccination makes a difference and you can book an appointment at a time and place to suit you or visit one of the many walk-in clinics on offer.”
Karen Jackson, Locala chief executive, added: “We’re proud to have been part of the incredible vaccination effort during this extraordinary time, and to help make it as easy as possible for residents across the district to get their life-saving vaccinations at a convenient location.”
Anyone needing a vaccination can book an appointment at www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119. Details of local walk-in clinics are also available using the site finder on www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/
