Patients told they can ‘turn down’ jab at Sheffield Arena for vaccination at local GP hub

Sally Conlan Deputy Nurse Director for the Covid 19 Vaccination Programme vaccinates Colin Moss at the Covid 19 max vaccination centre which has opened at the Sheffield Arena. Picture Scott Merrylees

Those eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine and live within a 45-minute drive from FlyDSA Arena will have the opportunity to get the jabs at the new mass vaccination centre.

But they will also be given the option to turn it down if they have been offered to receive their vaccination at the local GP hub, if it's more convenient.

Professor Chris Morley, Chief Nurse at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said the Attercliffe venue is an addition to over 30 primary care sites across the region administering the vaccine.

In a statement released on Tuesday, he said: "Yesterday (Monday, January 25), the Sheffield Arena opened as part of the national NHS vaccination programme and thanks to the incredible hard work of our staff, the Arena team and volunteers began vaccinating some of our most vulnerable residents in the region.

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"In the first instance people aged 75 and over within a 45-minute drive of the Arena will receive a letter from the national NHS booking service inviting them to either book a vaccination at the Arena or if they already have an appointment at their local GP vaccination hub they can disregard the letter.

"Equally if it is more convenient to wait and have their vaccination at their local primary care centre then individuals can also choose not to book at the Arena.

"The Arena will be open seven days a week. In terms of the number of vaccinations we undertake, this will depend on how many of the appointments are taken up and on-going vaccine supplies but we have plans in place to be able to respond accordingly."

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They however have yet to release the total figures of how many jabs were administered on the first day.

The opening of Sheffield FlyDSA has come under scrutiny by a local GP, arguing that priority should have been given on the local GP network which has been struggling to deliver the jabs due to restricted vaccine supplies.

According to Heeley-Plus Primary Care Network Clinical Director Dr Ollie Hart, eight out of 15 GP vaccination hubs across the city had to run on reduced supplies this week.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.