A NEW pop-up vaccination centre is set to open in Bolton this Saturday, March 6.

The Pikes Lane Centre, in Deane Road, will operate as an additional option for people registered with GP practices within the Central Primary Care Network (PCN).

People registered at 13 practices will have the choice to have their Covid-19 vaccination at Pikes Lane on Saturday, between 8am and 2pm - if it is more convenient for them.

Marshals who can speak different languages will be on hand to help out those whose first language isn’t English.

Currently, the vaccination of Central PCN patients is being carried out at the ‘hub’ site, Lever Chambers, in the town centre. Pikes Lane will be a ‘spoke’ site.

Senior Responsible Officer for the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme in Bolton, and Clinical Director of Commissioning at Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Helen Wall, said: “For some people, even getting into the town centre for their vaccination can be an obstacle. We have worked closely with the GP Federation and in particular Dr Atcha, the clinical director for Central Primary Care Network, to come up with an additional choice for patients.

“Pikes Lane Centre is right at the heart of the community and is home to several GP practices within the network. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get their vaccination, so we are trialling a vaccination clinic on the doorstep of many of those patients in the eligible groups.”

People can book their appointment via one of three ways:

• Clicking on the booking link sent to them in a text message, direct from their GP practice

• Contacting their GP practice via the usual number

• Phoning a vaccination hotline: 07546 305475

The Pikes Lane Centre will be a pilot in the first instance, but if successful, there is scope to extend vaccinations at this site and also look at other ‘hub and spoke’ models in the borough.

Dr Abdul Atcha, of The Olive Family Practice and Clinical Director of Central PCN, added: “The vaccination programme is the biggest in history and I’m honoured to be playing my part in the vaccination of my patients.

“It’s so important that people feel comfortable about getting their vaccination and accessibility shouldn’t be a barrier. I hope that by bringing a vaccination clinic closer to their homes will encourage even more people in the eligible groups to get vaccinated.”

The Covid-19 vaccination programme is being led nationally by NHS England, and Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is managing arrangements at a local level.

Each site has to undergo rigorous checks by NHS England to ensure it is suitable.

Vaccination of residents is according to a priority list, as set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), based on age and vulnerability of people and the risk of them becoming seriously ill and dying from Covid-19.

Bolton is currently vaccinating people over 60 and those aged 16-64, living with a long term health condition (including carers), or shielding.