Rugby arena opens new weekly walk-in clinics

19 July 2021

Residents are being urged to ‘try’ out Darlington’s new vaccination walk-in clinics as the Mowden Park Rugby Arena opens a regular drop in facility.

The walk-in vaccination clinics will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout July and August at the Darlington Arena Large Vaccination Centre.

The clinics aim to make it even easier to access a COVID vaccine in Darlington and are for everyone who has yet to take up the offer of a vaccination, or who has had their first dose eight weeks ago or longer, in line with Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance, prior to attending a walk-in clinic.

The walk-in facility coincides with the Government’s announcement that fully vaccinated UK residents arriving in England, from amber list countries, will no longer have to quarantine from Monday (19 July).

With under 40s now only having to wait eight weeks between doses, those getting their first vaccination in July will be able to download a COVID passport via the NHS App or apply for one in time for a September getaway.

No appointments are required and anyone over 18, who lives or works anywhere in Tees Valley or surrounding areas, will be able to walk-in for a jab at Darlington Arena, DL2 1DL, from 8:15am – 7:30pm, on the following dates:

Monday 19th July
Wednesday 21st July

Saturday 24th July
Monday 26th July
Wednesday 28th July
Saturday 31st July
Monday 2nd August

Wednesday 4th August
Saturday 7th August
Monday 9th August
Wednesday 11th August
Saturday 14th August

Monday 16th August
Wednesday 18th August
Saturday 21st August
Monday 23rd August
Wednesday 25th August

Saturday 28th August

Dr Janet Walker, medical director, NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “The past 15 months have been a very difficult time but especially hard for young people who’ve not been able to do many of the things they normally do such as clubbing, festivals, holidays and meeting friends – getting a jab is the first step back to normality.

“If people don’t have their vaccinations they may not be able to travel abroad, do certain jobs or go to places such as pubs or restaurants if owners decide to make being double jabbed a condition.

“Our GP hubs, large vaccination centres, hospital hubs, community pharmacists, vaccine buses and pop-up-clinics have already given out over three quarters of a million jabs across Tees Valley, last month alone we gave more vaccinations than any other region across the whole of the North East and Cumbria.

“By opening walk-in clinics we can offer even greater access for people who may have found it difficult to get an appointment and ensure that everyone who is eligible across the whole of Tees Valley can get a jab to help us to return towards a more normal way of life.”

Penny Spring, director of public health, Darlington Borough Council, said: “The COVID vaccination is our best protection against the virus and getting back to a more normal way of life. By having both doses of a COVID vaccine, you can play your part to protect yourself, your family and our wider communities from becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, as well as reduce the risk of having to spend the summer indoors self-isolating.

“We encourage all of our residents to come forward to get both doses of their COVID vaccine, no matter their age. Even if you have previously turned down your invitation from the NHS, you are still eligible to attend the walk-in clinics and get the best protection available for a safer summer with your loved ones.”

The new clinics may continue after August if demand requires.

Find your nearest walk-in clinic here: https://teesvalleyccg.nhs.uk/where-and-when-you-can-you-get-a-walk-in-covid-19-jab-in-tees-valley/

More information on vaccine passports is available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/