71-year-old Paul Carpenter from Ryde has been the first Islander to get their COVID-19 vaccine at the newly opened vaccination hub this morning (Monday).
It means even more people will be able to get vaccinated as part of the biggest vaccination programme the NHS has ever seen.
The Riverside Centre in Newport will be open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm. It compliments the other vaccination provisions at GP-led and services and St Mary's Hospital on the Island.
Members of the Armed Forces are also on-site to provide support to those administering the vaccine.
Initially, vaccinations will be offered to people in line with recommendations from the independent JCVI.
People will need an appointment to get their vaccine; most people will be invited by a letter and will then have the opportunity to go onto the national booking system and book an appointment slot, or call 119.
If people are unable to book an appointment on the Island, the national booking system may offer them an appointment on the mainland as an alternative - Islanders should continue to check the booking system regularly as more slots on the Isle of Wight will become available.
The first inoculation this morning was 71-year old Paul Carpenter from Ryde, who told Isle of Wight Radio he was looking forward at the prospect of seeing his grandchildren on the mainland.
Islanders who book into a vaccine centre will be greeted by a dedicated team of clinicians, vaccinators, administrative staff and volunteers who will help make a visit run as smoothly and safely as possible.
Bookings are staggered to allow social distancing.
Everyone will receive a health status check and a pre-vaccination assessment before they have their jab.
Dr Michele Legg, GP and chair of NHS Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“The opening of the Riverside Centre vaccination centre on the island is great news for our community.
“As well as having four GP-led vaccination sites and the St Mary’s Hospital Hub, having a sixth will really help us vaccinate our residents as quickly as vaccinations reach us.
“It is great news that the opening of the vaccination centre will help us provide the first dose to many more people, this alone will not slow the spread of this virus.
“We must continue to wash our hands regularly for 20 seconds, wear a face covering outdoors and maintain social distancing.
“I want to thank everyone for all their efforts in keeping this up over the past 10 months and make a plea that they continue to do so.”
Watch Isle of Wight Radio went down to the Riverside Centre when it opened...
Islanders who are being vaccinated, as well as harbour users, will need to travel into the area via Fairlee Road, through Seaclose.There will be no access to the Harbour via Sea Street.
Pay and display parking and drop of points will be made available on the harbour.
When leaving the Riverside Centre or harbour, vehicles can exit over the bridge via Sea Street, or can return via Seaclose and Fairlee Road.
Pedestrians can access the site on foot from any direction.
Welcoming the opening of the site today, MP Bob Seely said:
“I pay tribute to Kate Bingham for all her hard work as Chair of the Vaccine Taskforce and everyone involved in the UK vaccination process. It has been a remarkable achievement. By acting early and decisively, we have secured priority orders for different vaccines, The UK’s vaccination programme is leading the way. We are seeing vaccines developed, tested and manufactured in the UK.
“I see no reason why in due course we should not be helping other nations, but that should be on the basis of friendly cooperation, not threats and demands.
“Thank you to all working this weekend on the Island: it’s been a major undertaking and a substantial addition. However, vaccine takes time to work. The protection takes up to three weeks to kick in. Please continue to be careful.
“Letters to those in their 70s are now landing on doorsteps. Please DON’T ring GP surgeries - they are absolutely flat out - but wait for letters or calls. I am chasing up why some people are being told to book in to Portsmouth. Islanders should NOT go to Portsmouth for their jab.”
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