Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, has confirmed the Covid vaccination booster programme will expanded to over-40s.
He was speaking in a special Statement in the House of Commons attended by Winchester & Chandler’s Ford MP, Steve Brine.
Mr Brine welcomed the announcement but stressed the importance of ensuring easy access to the jabs within Winchester and asked the Secretary of State for help in securing a walk-in site in the city.
He said; “I am increasingly hearing from constituents they're struggling to get the booster in Winchester. Would the Secretary of State help me to get a walk-in centre or a pop-up facility in the city, we've got a number of empty shops so we'll find the space if he can provide the jabs.”
The nearest walk-in centres, currently, for constituents of Winchester and Chandler’s Ford are in Southampton or Totton.
Mr Javid responded highlighting the importance of walk-in centres as part of the network of access, saying; “He highlights again the importance of access, whether it’s the vaccination centres, the walk-in centres or the pop-in centres that are working our vaccination campaign,” and he undertook to discuss urgently with the Winchester MP what more can be done to increase easy access in the city.
Following the exchange, Steve Brine has already met with the Vaccines Minister (Maggie Throup MP) and written to the NHS Commissioning Group to explore how this can be set-up. He has also written to the Winchester Business Improvement District to seek their help in accessing any short-term possible pop-up locations in the city centre.
Pictured; Steve Brine on his feet in the House of Commons this afternoon.
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