The first patients have been vaccinated at York’s national NHS Vaccination Centre today.
What was the local hub at the former Askham Bar park and ride site has been expanded, and it reopened at 8am as one of 17 national NHS vaccination centres.
It will deliver the vaccine to locals, to people living up to a 45-minute drive away, as well as to health and social care staff.
The local and national vaccinations will be offered side-by-side. Both services are managed by Nimbuscare on behalf of 11 York GP Practices.
Flu vaccinations have also been offered at the site since October.
People must wait to get an invitation to attend for the Covid vaccination, either via their GP or from the NHS.
“You may even get two invites,” said Prof Mike Holmes, chair of Nimbuscare, who is the clinical lead for the NHS Vaccination Centre.
“But our advice to you is just respond to one of them – whichever one offers a service which is more convenient for you.”
Everybody is going to get an invitation, he said. The centre is liaising with employers of health and care workers before sending out a booking link to individuals.
“We’re trying to make this as straightforward and as simple as possible. But I’m sure you can imagine it’s quite a complex task.”
It comes as the mass vaccination programme was expanded to include those over 70 and the clinically extremely vulnerable.
Vaccination centre gallery
Frederick Durber after being vaccinated 
A member of the military provides assistance in the vaccination centre at Askham Bar 
The vaccine is administered 
A steward with Frederick 
A view of the Askham Bar site 
The vaccine is prepared 
Cars shown where to park