Super service at Blackburn’s drive-through vaccine centre!

The drive-through and walk-in vaccine centre at Ewood Park is ending its two-week visit to the borough – and has given out more than 600 first, second and booster doses in that time.

One visitor getting her booster jab was Christine Wilson, 74, who was taken to the vaccine centre by her son Rick as soon as he heard about it.

Christine had a knee replacement operation in 2021 and is still experiencing some issues with walking and standing for long periods of time, which made going to other vaccine centres more difficult.

So they both jumped at the chance to drive to Ewood and receive Christine’s booster this month, because it meant they didn’t even have to get out of the car – the vaccinator came straight to the car window to give the booster jab there and then.

The drive-through was launched at car park D at Ewood Park on January 10^th, and runs until today – Friday, January 21^st, from 8.30am to 7.30pm 7 days a week and open for people driving or walking in.

Christine said:

I was really pleased when I heard about the walk-in and drive-through centre because I had been wanting to get my booster but was having some problems with walking due to my knee operation, it can be quite painful, so getting to other vaccine clinics was a bit difficult.

It was so quick and easy, we just drove up, we were directed to our spot and it was over and done with before I knew it!

Everyone at the vaccine drive-through was so kind and helpful, it was really wonderful. I think it is a fantastic set up and I hope we can get something like it again, it was really convenient.”

Christine’s son Rick Wilson founded the Blackburn Couch to 5K group which meets at Witton Park and also co-founded Be Strong, a not for profit organisation that helps people to focus on eating well, exercising, mindfulness, self-compassion, and general well-being.

Rick said:

We had a great experience at the vaccine centre, we didn’t have to make an appointment and were in and out in no time. The vaccinators and staff there were absolutely wonderful, so polite and helpful, and all the system was really well marked out. The process was clearly explained to us, and it was a brilliant experience for my mum.

Given my mum’s current issues with getting about, it was an absolute no-brainer to go along to the drive-through, it was really convenient. As I run a health organisation, I am not usually a massive fan of drive-throughs, but this was obviously an exception! It made complete sense for my mum to go there.”

Dominic Harrison, Blackburn with Darwen’s Director of Public Health, added:

This is just one of the many good outcomes people in the borough have had at the vaccine centres, and I’m really glad that Christine had such a positive experience.

There are quite a few different and convenient ways to get the first, second and booster doses of the vaccine right across Blackburn and Darwen and there will be more pop-up clinics in the borough coming in February to carry on making it easier for people to get the vaccine and protect themselves and their loved ones.”

To find out about the borough’s walk-in vaccine centres or to book a vaccine: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site

Find out more about Couch to 5K and Be Strong at: www.mycouchto5k.co.uk and www.mybestrong.com