More than 800 people receive their first vaccinations at Fleetwood centre

More than 850 people were vaccinated during Saturday and Sunday after sessions were launched at the Health and Wellbeing Centre on Dock Street.

The vaccintions are being provided by the contract holder, O'Briens Pharmacy, in partnership with Fleetwood's GP practices.

The vaccination hub is the first one dedicated for Fleetwood, although more than 1,300 people from the town had already been vaccinated at clinics elsewhere, such as those at Wyre Civic Centre in Poulton and at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

There had been initial concerns from some Fleetwood residents that the town did not have its own dedicated hub, while those in Poulton and Thornton have been able to use the Civic Centre and the Little Theatre respectively.

But now vaccinations will continue from the Dock Street building, working through the priority categories in turn.

It is now anticipated that all residents aged 80-plus and all care home residents will have received their first jab by the middle of next week.

Aisling O'Brien, CEO O'Briens Pharmacy Group, said: "Behind the scenes staff have been working tirelessly with training and logistics.

"After two weeks of planning we opened the door to Fleetwood's Covid vaccination clinic on Saturday.

" With support from our GP surgeries we have managed to start the process and vaccinated over 850 people this weekend.

"Never in my professional career did I expect to have a chance to support our communities the way we have started today and I feel honoured to do so.

"A huge thanks to all the O’Briens team and those volunteers who gave up their time, without them none of this would be possible.

"We hope to see all our community coming through the doors over coming weeks and having their first vaccination dose on the road to recovery."

Fleetwood resident Pauline Kennedy, 66, of Bentham Avenue, Fleetwood, was among those having their first injection at the weekend.

She said: "I barely felt the jab and after a little rest in a waiting area I was good to go!

"It was efficient, friendly and so well organised - I'd like to thank everyone involved."

Among the first to receive their vaccinations on Saturday were Jon and Kate Armstrong from Out Rawcliffe.

Kate said: "It was very well organised, the staff were extremely friendly and thorough. We'd like to thank the team for our vaccines, it is much appreciated."

A vaccination programme is already underway in Fleetwood's care homes.

Fleetwood GP Dr Mark Spencer advised residents: "Please do continue to wait to be invited for your appointment, do not contact GP surgeries about vaccinations but please do get in touch with any other health queries that concern you."

The Fleetwood centre is now open every weekend at least until April to work through the vaccination program in line with the priority groups set out by the Government.

Vaccine availability elsewhere on the Fylde coast will expanded further this week, as Blackpool's Winter Gardens and AFC Fylde's Wesham ground were set to open their mass vaccination hubs.