First Covid vaccinations start today in Bedford after delay

The first vaccination centres, run by family doctors and their teams - open in Bedford today (Wednesday).

All of the Primary Care Networks (PCN) in Bedford have taken delivery of the vaccine and will now start to deliver the vaccine to registered patients over 80.

Fully trained vaccinators will be giving the jab at King's House Conference Centre in Ampthill Road to ensure there is plenty of room for social distancing when waiting, as well as a recovery area, where people will be monitored for 15 minutes after the vaccination.

The NHS will contact people in the priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine. Don't call your GP.

This next phase of the vaccine roll-out starts next week when the AstraZeneca vaccine will be delivered across Bedfordshire.

Dr Sarah Whiteman, the medical director and putative chair of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Groups, said “Delivery of the biggest ever NHS vaccination programme has been a mammoth undertaking so I am thrilled that we can now say we are administering vaccines to the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes footprint that we cover.

"I can appreciate that local people will be keen to get their jab as soon as possible, but we would ask that patients do not contact their practices at this time.

"GPs are working through their lists and making appointments according to the criteria provided by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation.”

The delay by a few days had caused some anger with Bedford Today readers who complained when their appointment was cancelled with no alternaytive given.