Portsmouth vaccination centre to close after 18 months spent delivering thousands of vaccines

The Solent Covid Vaccination Centre at Hamble House, St James’ Hospital, will be open for its final day on Wednesday, August 31 from 8am to 8pm.

Thousands of vaccinations have been given at the centre since it opened in February 2021.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board and Solent NHS Trust says that the ‘next stage’ of the vaccination programme will be calibrated to meet the changing shape of the pandemic.

The trust has also released a statement about the closure, which said: ‘We want to thank our amazing staff and volunteers who have supported us across the programme for their ongoing outstanding work supporting our communities across Hampshire and Isle of Wight during such challenging times.

‘The next stage of the COVID-19 vaccination programme will be put in place for the Autumn, meeting the needs of our population and adjusting to how the pandemic has now changed. ‘At the forefront of our plans is making sure eligible individuals are able to access the vaccine easily and conveniently, and we are keeping our staff and volunteers informed of next steps.’

The NHS will kickstart its autumn booster rollout in early September.

SEE ALSO: Covid-19: Over 100 people in hospital with coronavirus in Portsmouth this week as numbers fall nationally

Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South MP, is encouraging city residents to continue to get vaccinated and boosted to protect themselves and the people around them as we head into winter.

He said: ‘It’s vital people continue to get vaccinated and boosted in a way that, where possible, is both convenient and accessible to them.

‘Those in Portsmouth who can must continue to also use general practice, community pharmacies, and pop-up community clinics, which have all proved popular with communities, to get their jabs.

‘Speaking to our local NHS services, these options should be available this winter, when the COVID vaccine will also be offered alongside the flu vaccine.

‘As we head into winter, I will continue to monitor the situation closely and the decisions of local health leaders to ensure patients are getting the best access possible to the healthcare they need.’