The county’s larger covid vaccination centres will be closing for good towards the end of the year, Cambridgeshire’s health bosses have announced.  

Six centres in Wisbech, Peterborough, Eaton Socon, Huntingdon and Cambridge will be winding down in favour of community-focused delivery model using smaller venues.  

The locations closing are:- 

  • Horsefair Shopping Centre, Wisbech:  December 15, 2022  
  • Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough: December 15, 2022  
  • Chesterton Indoor Bowls Centre, Cambridge: December 15, 2022  
  • The Eatons Community Centre, Eaton Socon: December 22, 2022  
  • Oaktree Centre, Huntingdon: December 30, 2022  
  • The Grafton Centre, Cambridge: December 30, 2022 

On these days, vaccinations will be available until 4pm.  

Mike Passfield, is the Clinical Operations Director for the large scale vaccination centres run by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.  

Since the vaccine rollout was launched two years ago, the centres have delivered more than a million doses across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.  

He said the closures will also mark the end of the national autumn booster programme, which is targeted at the over 50s and vulnerable groups.  

 He added: “We would like to thank the amazing staff and volunteers for their dedication, compassion, and hard work that has helped to protect thousands of local people from Covid-19.   

“The staff working in our large-scale vaccination centres have unique skills and a commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of our local people which we are keen to retain in the local health and care system.   

“We are working with staff on fixed term contracts to identify future employment opportunities across our health and care partners and support the many bank staff and volunteers at the centres by sharing information and advice on alternative opportunities.” 

The vaccine programme across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will continue from locations such as pharmacies and through other services which are closer to people’s homes  

Initiatives are also underway for doses to be administered in other community settings, care homes and for the housebound.  

Dr Fiona Head, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, also thanked the staff and volunteers who supported the large vaccination centres.  

She said: “Thanks to their incredible efforts over the last two years, they have delivered over 1,050,000 vaccinations...  

“... if you haven’t had your autumn booster yet, there is still time to get vaccinated either by walking into our large centres before they close or booking via the National Booking Service at one of our other locations.  

“Remember, getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against becoming very unwell from Covid-19.”