Darlington’s first Covid-19 community vaccine site opens

A community coronavirus vaccine site will open for appointments at Firthmoor Community Centre, Darlington from tomorrow (Thursday 10 June).

Firthmoor Community Centre will be the town’s first community Covid-19 vaccination site and the third in Darlington which can be booked for first dose appointments, joining Cockerton Pharmacy and the Darlington Arena on the national booking system.

The town’s first vaccination centre at Feethams House, ran by the Darlington Primary Care Network, is open for second dose appointments only and will be closing by the end of July after providing the remainder of its appointments.

The community site will offer both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines, with under 40s receiving an alternative to AstraZeneca when possible.

Councillor Kevin Nicholson, Cabinet Member for Health & Housing, said: “The town’s first community vaccination site at Firthmoor Community Centre will mean that even more local appointments are available for Darlington residents.

“By providing a community site in an area of the town where vaccine uptake has been lower, we aim to remove as many barriers as possible for our communities who have yet to take up the offer of getting a Covid-19 vaccine.

“Eligible Darlington residents now have the option to have their jabs at a community site which is familiar, friendly and accessible, which we hope will encourage vaccine uptake in the area.”

Penny Spring, the Director for Public Health at Darlington Borough Council, said: “It is fantastic news that a community vaccine site is opening in Darlington.

“To protect ourselves and our wider communities, we all need to have both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

“If you have any concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine, please reach out to the NHS for advice. You can call 119 with any questions or concerns, or you can visit the NHS website for trusted, reliable information.”

Currently, anyone in England aged 25 and over or 16 and over with a long-term condition can book their Covid-19 vaccine appointment.

Eligible Darlington residents will be invited to have a Covid vaccine by letter, and can book their appointments either online via the national NHS booking system or by calling 119, free of charge between 7am and 11pm.

To book an appointment online, visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/.