Blackburn bus station hosts pop-up Covid vaccination site

A new pop-up COVID-19 vaccination centre is being hosted at Blackburn bus station as the autumn booster programme gets underway.

Residents in Blackburn aged 50 and over, those with weakened immune systems including pregnant women, and frontline health and care staff are now eligible to get the new-style booster.

The site will also be able to vaccinate any adults needing a first, second or booster dose.

The opening of this new pop-up centre is part of the drive to get the population of Lancashire and South Cumbria protected ahead of winter and will be open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm.

Carole McCann, chief nurse for the Lancashire and South Cumbria COVID-19 vaccination programme, said:

The new pop-up vaccination site at Blackburn bus station is another way our residents can get their COVID-19 vaccines when due. We want to ensure that everyone gets the protection they need as quickly and conveniently as possible.

I would urge everyone who is eligible to get this vaccine as soon as they possibly can. COVID-19 is still a virus that can make you seriously ill. The best way to protect yourself is to get the vaccine when it is offered to you.

Abdul Razaq, Blackburn with Darwen’s Director of Public Health, added:

There has been good uptake by local residents using this new way of getting up to date with their Covid vaccinations to ensure they are protected for autumn and winter. Although Covid and flu levels currently remain low, it is vital that we take up the offer of Covid and flu vaccination to help ourselves stay well for the coming months.

In Blackburn with Darwen, free transport is available to anyone going to get a Covid vaccination, including by bus as we wish to make this particular pop-up vaccination site accessible for our residents.

Here’s how you can travel for free to get a Covid vaccination:

• By bus – just tell the driver you’re going for a Covid jab & travel for free
• By taxi – call (01254) 777888 or 696996 and book a taxi on the BwD Vaxi Taxi account

Jabs can still be booked via the National Booking Service, by calling 119 or by finding a local vaccination walk-in site.

The autumn booster programme opened on Monday 12 September and the NHS will contact people when it is their turn to book in for the vaccine. You do not need to contact the NHS.