Covid-19: Luton walk-in vaccine centres opened due to lower jab uptake

The new walk-in centres in Luton are aimed at improving uptake of the vaccine

Walk-in vaccination centres have been set up in a town "falling behind" in the number of people booking a jab.

The temporary facilities across Luton - including a supermarket, mosque and the town hall - will be open until Sunday.

The latest government figures show the number of people testing positive in the town for coronavirus is increasing, up 4% over the previous week.

The NHS in Bedfordshire has urged residents "to take action and get vaccinated".

The Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: "Recent data shows that Luton is falling behind other areas in terms of the number of eligible residents booking to receive their Covid-19 vaccination."

You can go for a walk-in vaccination at five places across Luton including the Redgrave children and young people's centre

It is working with Luton Borough Council to increase uptake for the over-50s and anyone who is clinically vulnerable.

Government figures show that between 19 and 25 March, 286 people in Luton had a confirmed positive test result, up by 4% on the previous seven days.

Figures to 14 March showed Luton had the lowest uptake on the first vaccination for those aged 55 and over across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire.

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The CCG added: "GPs have raised concerns that with infections starting to rise again in the town, this could delay plans to ease restrictions and bring back some normality this summer."

"The vaccination programme is considered to be the best route out of the pandemic and local leaders are working to reassure residents that the vaccine is halal, kosher, vegan and safe."

The sites are at Luton Central Mosque and Luton Town Hall, which will be open on Saturday and Sunday, and a mobile bus at Sainsbury's carpark on Dunstable Road, which will be open from Friday to Sunday.

People can also walk in without an appointment at the existing centres at Redgrave children and young people's centre, and Inspire Sports Village.