Mobile vaccination units including a vaccine bus are set to be deployed in North Tyneside as concerns about the Indian coronavirus variant grow.
The council and NHS are planning to target communities in the next week through pop up mobile vaccination services and testing.
Additional vaccination services in the borough are being rolled out following a rise in case numbers and growing concerns around increased cases of the latest variant.
The infection rate of the virus in North Tyneside has risen from 22 to 53 per 100,000 over the last week and more cases of the Indian variant have been found in parts of the borough.
There are currently 19 confirmed cases and it is likely that this number will increase.
As a result, surge testing and additional Covid-19 vaccination capability is being provided in direct response to protect the public.
Details of the mobile vaccination service are yet to be confirmed, however it is understood that only groups identified as currently eligible for the vaccine can make use of it.
Everyone aged over 34 can now book an appointment and people who have not yet had their first vaccine are urged to book as soon as they can, with thousands of appointments available in community locations across North Tyneside.
New eligible age groups are also being announced regularly.
Professor Neil Watson, who runs the vaccination Programme for the North East and North Cumbria said: “Now is the time to get vaccinated if you are in an eligible group because the sooner you're vaccinated, the sooner you’ll begin to protect yourself, your family, your friends and your community.
“We also know that vaccinating as many people as possible should reduce the levels of local infections too.
“The NHS in North Tyneside has made thousands of appointments available each week via community pharmacies, while our local GPs concentrate on bringing second dose appointments forward from 12 weeks to eight weeks in line with the new guidance for people over 50.
“This is all to make sure we protect as many people as possible and save lives, so please do your bit to help beat Covid – take up your vaccination appointment when it’s offered.”
In North Tyneside there are seven local pharmacies offering vaccination with four further community locations at The Village Hotel, The Collingwood Centre, St Paul's House and Monkseaton Methodist Church.
In total these services offer a weekly capacity of 16,000 vaccinations which are booked via the via the NHS National Booking Service. Appointments are going fast with more dates being made available regularly. You will need to book in advance to help manage social distancing and prevent queues.
Already the NHS in North Tyneside has vaccinated significant numbers of the eligible population through local primary care vaccination services who have focused on those groups who are the most vulnerable to the consequences of contracting Covid-19.
While the uptake for vaccination in North Tyneside has been good so far, there are still people aged over 50, those with underlying health conditions, health and social care workers and carers who have not yet taken up their invitation and can still do so.
People over 50, those with underlying health conditions, health and social care workers and carers who have had their first dose and not yet had their second will be contacted either by their GP practice or by the NHS National Booking Service to bring forward their jab.
From Saturday morning, the council will deploy two mobile testing units in North Shields and Wallsend town centres. From Saturday morning they will be open without a need for an appointment between 10am and 4pm at Wallsend Forum, behind the Anson pub, and in Bedford Street, North Shields.
Those who live, work or study in North Tyneside are have been urged to make use of these PCR test sites, if they do not have coronavirus symptoms.
Normally PCR tests are only taken by those with symptoms, however, due to rising Covid-19 cases they are being offered to those without.
This enhanced testing is in addition to lateral flow tests which the Government encourages everyone to do twice a week.
For those showing signs of Covid-19, the guidance remains the same: stay at home, self-isolate and book a test online or by calling 119.
The existing test sites at The Parks Leisure Centre in North Shields and the Coronation Street car park in Wallsend should continue to only be used by those with symptoms.
Wendy Burke, North Tyneside Director of Public Health added: “Covid can affect anyone at any age and we know people can suffer serious complications if they become infected. Even if you think your risk is low, there’s still a chance you can catch it and pass it on to people around you, even if you have no symptoms.
“Please if you are offered an appointment for vaccination or asked to make one please do so.”
There are over 15,000 weekly appointments available in North Tyneside via the NHS National Booking Service or call 119 between 7am and 11pm.
More appointments become available regularly so keep checking back.
You will only be offered an appointment at a location using vaccine products that are recommended for your JCVI group.
