A LARGE scale NHS Covid-19 vaccination centre will open on the Isle of Wight tomorrow (Monday, February 1).

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 seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm.

It complements vaccination provisions at GP-led and hospital services on the Island.

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.

Residents will be able to receive their vaccination on the Island.

Read more: Island patients offered appointments at mainland hubs

If people are unable to book an appointment on the Island, the national booking system may offer an appointment on the mainland as an alternative. People should continue to check the booking system regularly as more slots on the Isle of Wight will become available.

People who book into the 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 and everyone will receive a health status check and a pre-vaccination assessment before they have their jab.

Dr Dan Baylis, chief medical officer at Solent NHS Trust, which is running the large-scale vaccination centres across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: "We are excited to be delivering the Covid-19 vaccination programme at scale to help protect people living on the Isle of Wight from Covid-19.

“This vaccination rollout is thanks to the fantastic partnerships we are building on the Island with healthcare partners and community organisations.

"We are particularly grateful to everyone who has volunteered to support us at the centre through Community Action Isle of Wight.

“I would encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated against Covid-19 when they are invited by the NHS.”

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 ten months and make a plea that they continue to do so.”

People 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.

Island MP Bob Seely said: “I am delighted the Island’s vaccine hub is opening tomorrow at the Riverside Centre, which is in addition to the four primary care vaccination sites. Up to an extra 500 Islanders per day can be vaccinated, depending on vaccine flow. I thank everyone involved. 
 
“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.”