Plans to work with businesses and traveller communities to boost Doncaster coronavirus vaccination uptake

Health bosses are in talks with employers about possible on-site Covid vaccination clinics at their workplaces.
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And they are also looking at how to make it easier for people from traveller backgrounds to get their jabs, as they look to maximise the number of people getting their coronavirus vaccines.

They are looking at different ways to get people to come forward for vaccines as the age of the groups being offered the jabs gets younger.

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Dr David Crichton chairman of Doncaster NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We’ve been trying to gauge what the appetite is for vaccinations at workplaces. Talks are ongoing about what that appetite might be. It may be socially distanced venues where we have drop in clinics. Nothing has been completely decided yet, and nothing set in stone. We’re still in talks with employers.

A volunteer prepares a vaccine at a Doncaster vaccination centreA volunteer prepares a vaccine at a Doncaster vaccination centre
A volunteer prepares a vaccine at a Doncaster vaccination centre

“Local vaccination centres have been very successful. With different groups, we have to be slightly different with how we give the vaccine.

"If there was a group that was less forthcoming, this may be where we have to work harder.

“Amazon may be the sort of place that we would like to do. We could use the health bus, but it may be better to invite people .

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He said another group where health bosses were looking to make it easier for them to get a vaccine was the Roma, gypsy and traveller community. Setting up clinics near where they live was a possibility.

"We have two new gypsy and traveller link workers who are looking into this, and we’re excited to have them on board,” said Mr Crichton.

Pop up clinics have already been run in some locations, including places of worship in the borough. In March, sessions were held in a mosque in Belle Vue, and in a Sikh temple, near the town centre.

Vaccinations first started in Doncaster in December, when over 80s were given their first doses of the jab. Since then it has been rolled out to different age groups, and people in their 30s are now receiving the jab. At present, it is being offered to people aged over 36.

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 subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.