NHS staff and volunteers are celebrating the one year anniversary of the Mass Vaccination Centre in St Helens today, protecting hundreds of thousands of local people from falling seriously ill with coronavirus.
On January 18, 2021, the first large-scale vaccination centre in Cheshire and Merseyside opened up at the Totally Wicked Stadium, with more than 390,000 vaccinations been given by dedicated staff and volunteers at the stadium.
Ensuring that hundreds of thousands of people were protected from the most serious risks posed by covid, the "huge team effort" has been made possible by a collaboration between St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals, St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group, St Helens Primary Care Network, St Helens Borough Council, Allied Pharmacies, St Helens RLFC, St John Ambulance, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, the British Armed Forces, and the voluntary sector.
First in line to get protected at the Mass Vaccination Centre in St Helens were residents Sarah and Derek Platt.
At the time, Sarah said, “It’s been a really hard year for everyone, but we feel lucky compared to others because we’ve had each other.
"We’ve been excited to get our jab, we’re looking forward to going out for a meal at the pub again, we’ve really missed doing that but most of all we can’t wait to get together with family again - I’m looking forward to giving my granddaughter the biggest hug.
"This is a really big thing for St Helens, and I feel quite emotional to be part of it.”
Likewise, Saints legend Bill Adair - who was the first person to be vaccinated by staff in St Helens in December 2020 - said he was "delighted" to have his vaccine as he could now spend more time with his friends and family, and watch Saints without having to worry as much about contacting the virus,
Reflecting on the vaccination programme in the town, Ann Marr OBE, Chief Executive, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said:
“I am so grateful to every member of our community who has come forward to not only protect themselves but others around them too.
"I am especially proud of each and every member of the vaccination team who have worked every day over the past year to ensure the success of the vaccination programme in St Helens and across Cheshire and Merseyside.
"It has been an honour to partner once again with our fantastic colleagues across the local community, who have shown exemplary support in delivering important safety messages and have worked tirelessly to protect our local community.”
Dr Hilary Flett, Vaccine Clinical Lead at St Helens CCG added: “We are all extremely proud to have worked alongside colleagues from across St Helens to lead the single biggest immunisation programme in the history of the NHS.
"Thank you to everyone for making the vaccination programme in St Helens one of the most successful in the North West.”
The Mass Vaccination Centre remains open 7 days a week for both appointments and walk-in services, and to book an appointment online visit www.nhs.uk or book via telephone by calling 119.
Key moments in a year of history:
18th January 2021 – The Mass Vaccination Centre opens for the first time at the Totally Wicked Stadium,
20th January 2021 – NHS staff and volunteers continue to deliver their vaccines despite the severe disruption of Storm Christoph
17th February 2021 – Granada News Reporter Paul Crone takes his turn to receive his first vaccination at the Mass Vaccination Centre in St Helens
6th April – Over 80s begin to receive their second jab at the Mass Vaccination Centre
16th April 2021 - Moderna is accepted as the third coronavirus vaccine on offer to people across Cheshire and Merseyside
5th May 2021 – 100,000 vaccines administered at the Mass Vaccination Centre
17th June 2021 – The vaccine centre leads the way as we ask everyone to ‘tackle COVID together’ and visit the first ever vaccination drop-in clinic at a rugby match
21st September 2021 – COVID-19 Booster programme begins at pace
23rd October 2021 – Vaccines offered to over 12s at the Mass Vaccination Centre
24th November 2021 - First case of Omicron variant announced highlighting the importance of the booster programme
8th December 2021 – Anniversary of first UK Pfizer vaccination, the country remembers one year to the day that 90-year-old Margaret Keenan receives the vaccine
18th January 2022 – The first anniversary of the opening of the Mass Vaccination Centre
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