Covid vaccination update for cohorts 10-12 (under 50 year olds)

The vaccination site will continue at North Devon Leisure Centre in Barnstaple, but the running of the site will be taken on by Northern Devon Healthcare Trust and bookings can be made through the National Booking Service – not the GP practice.

Subject to approval by NHS England and NHS Improvement, it is expected that the Leisure Centre will be available to book for 1st dose appointments on the National Booking Service for people in the eligible groups from early May.

For a period, the site will be shared with GP teams as they finish second doses to people in groups 1-9.

Andrea Bell, deputy chief nurse at Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “Our team has delivered over 16,000 vaccinations at our clinics for health and social care workers at North Devon District Hospital. Now that those clinics have come to an end, we’re delighted that we can move on to support vaccinating local people in cohorts 10-12, once eligible, at the Leisure Centre in Barnstaple. 

“Our vaccinators, admin team and volunteers are all looking forward to supporting the next stage of the vaccination programme so that our community in Northern Devon gets the best available protection from coronavirus.

“Once you are eligible for vaccination, please make your booking through the National Booking Service from early May. We look forward to seeing you.” 

A spokesperson for the 14 GP practices who have been running the vaccination centre at Barnstaple Leisure Centre said: “We have successfully vaccinated over 50,000 people and we are now focusing on the second doses for this group. We have been pleased to be involved with the national programme, vaccinating the highest risk patients, however we are now handing over the running of the vaccination programme for cohorts 10-12 (those aged 18-49 years old) and we are working with the hospital for a smooth transition.”

The National Booking Service currently offers appointments at Arnold’s Pharmacy in Westward Ho! and will soon show the Barnstaple Leisure Centre as well – if at first appts do not show for NorthDevon please keep trying as the system is updated regularly.