Vaccine bus for Covid-19 vaccines coming back to Blackburn

Pop-up Covid-19 vaccination clinics are coming back to Blackburn to make getting a jab easier and more convenient for people in the area.

The vaccine bus will be coming back to the same neighbourhoods as last summer to offer the booster jab, as well as first and second doses.

The bus will begin travelling around Blackburn from Tuesday 1 February with clinicians on hand to answer questions and address any concerns people might have.

The bus will stop at the following locations. You don’t need an appointment, just walk-in.

• Tuesday 1 February – noon to 6pm

SAMS (Energy Zone), Newfield Drive, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

• Wednesday 2 February – noon to 6pm

Shadsworth Community Centre, Rothesay Road, Blackburn, BB1 2JA

• Friday 4 February – noon to 6pm

Mill Hill Community Centre, New Chapel Street, Blackburn, BB2 4DT

• Saturday 5 February – noon to 6pm

St Michael & St John’s Primary School, Swallow Drive, Blackburn, BB1 6LE

• Sunday 6 February – 10am to 4pm

Audley Sports and Leisure Centre, Chester Street, Blackburn, BB1 1DW

A booster dose of the vaccine helps improve the protection you have from your first two doses of the vaccine and helps against getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

In addition to the vaccine bus, pop-up vaccine clinics will be returning to the mosques in Plane Tree Road and Leamington Road, and Revidge Fold Church later in the month.

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

Anything that makes it a bit easier to get your first, second or booster vaccine is good news, and these vaccine buses coming to people’s neighbourhoods and communities will help massively with this. It makes it all so much more convenient and people can just call in to the bus when it is convenient for them.

We know restrictions have eased and we are moving into Plan A but it is still hugely important to get vaccinated to keep yourselves and loved ones protected and to help the fight against COVID-19, which is still ongoing. I hope as many people as possible will pop down to their local bus and take up the offer.”

Jane Scattergood, COVID-19 vaccination director for Lancashire and South Cumbria, said:

As soon as you are eligible, please do come forward. Vaccination is extremely important in our continued fight against COVID-19 and these pop-up sites mean people have more opportunities to get their jab at a time and place that suits them.

Why not bring the whole family down to get vaccinated together? These services can vaccinate everyone aged 12 and over.

We will continue to do all we can to protect the communities we serve. It is just as important to get vaccinated now as it was on day one of the programme, and it has never been easier to walk in and get your jab while you are out and about.

I also want to take this opportunity to again say a huge thank you to all our staff and partners who are working hard on the delivery of the vaccination programme.”

Everyone aged 16 and over who had a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least three months ago can get a booster dose. While anyone aged 12 and over can get a first and second dose of the vaccine, some children aged 12 to 15 are also eligible for a booster dose if they have a weakened immune system or they have a condition which puts them at risk of becoming seriously ill should they get COVID-19.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, to check if you are eligible, or to find other vaccination centres in the local area, go to www.healthierlsc.co.uk/getmyjab