All adults will be able to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine without a booking this weekend.
Running from June 25 to June 28, all eligible adults will be able to turn up to receive the first dose of the jab without having booked an appointment.
Second doses will also be available to all those who had their first dose on or before April 30.
Nine walk-in sites will be taking part in Nottinghamshire’s Big Weekend for vaccinations, including Forest Recreation Ground, Gamston Community Centre, Richard Herrod Centre, Newark Showground, Ashfield Health Village, King’s Meadow Campus, King’s Mill Hospital, Queen’s Medical Centre, and Mansfield Vaccination Centre.
First doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs will be available to all those over 18, following Matt Hancock’s announcement last week about vaccination opening to all over 18s across the UK.
Amanda Sullivan, Accountable Officer for NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG, said in a statement: “We are encouraging anyone who has not yet had their first dose to come down or those who had their first dose on or before 30 April to come and have their second dose of the vaccine.
“The process will be really quick and easy and there will be no need to book an appointment at any of the nine sites that are open over the Big Weekend.
“I would urge the public to visit the sites early to receive a vaccine to help protect themselves, their families and their loved ones.
“We know the rate of infection is increasing nationally and we are seeing increases in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
“We have seen in the past that a few cases can very quickly lead to a big increase in community transmission.
“That is why it is important that we all get our vaccine and protect ourselves as soon as possible.”
According to data provided by the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Local Resilience Forum, the June 12 – June 18 week has seen a rise in COVID-19 cases, with 409 people testing positive within the said time frame, compared to 281 in the June 5 – June 11 week.
Lead image: Rucsandra-Ioana Moldoveanu