York Vaccination Centre celebrated its first birthday today – and few ventures have had such a momentous impact in just 12 short months.
More than 400,000 vaccinations have been administered at the Askham Bar hub since it opened to people from York and beyond.
The big day was marked with a cake, a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ led by York town crier Ben Fry, and a vision for the future.
After being taken over by Nimbuscare, the collaboration of 11 GP practices in and around York, the former Askham Bar park and ride site became a drive-through flu vaccination centre.
When the Covid vaccines came online the site went into overdrive first as a local centre, then “as one of the first and largest NHS national vaccination centres,” said Chief Nurse Michelle Philips.
She said: “We successfully run the single point of access Covid hub. We run special pop-up vaccination and health clinics for the homeless, asylum seekers, sex workers and students.”
Other services include cervical screening clinics, and contraception and sexual health clinics. And there are big plans for the future too.
“Going forward, our new health village will deliver NHS health check services alongside Covid boosters and flu jabs,” said Ms Philips.
“This is joint working at its best. We’ve truly captured the hearts of the local people. These relationships will help us build for a better future.”
Happy birthday York Vaccination Centre – and thank you!