People were so keen for their COVID-19 jabs in one Trafford town that a queue began forming outside one distribution site – before it even had any supply.
Rumours began circulating last week that the Larkhill Centre events space on Thorley Lane in Timperley was set to become a new vaccine hub.
Before it was even confirmed as the official site, a queue began to form outside, leaving councillors concerned about social distancing.
Managers said the way the vaccine hub is being run with appointment slots means there shouldn't be any issues with queuing for vaccines.
Liberal Democrat councillor Julian Newgrosh said: “Many local residents (over 80) had contacted me to say that they were yet to be offered the vaccine, and some that had been were being directed to the Etihad Stadium. Hardly local to Timperley for residents of a vulnerable demographic.
“I had asked internally, several times, if there was substance to these rumours, which I had to take as anecdotal until I had confirmation. I received no reply to internal questions, which led me to question in public about the lack of local provision.”
Coun Newgrosh raised the issue at a public engagement board meeting last week.
Larkhill is set to begin vaccinating the town’s over-80 population this week, with some residents having appointments booked in on Thursday and Friday.
Coun Newgrosh has requested increased signage around Larkhill ‘so that the approach to the centre can remain safe and orderly’.
Following the meeting, the councillor explained that three GPs in Timperley had been ‘unable to commit to the conditions placed on medical practices in order to offer the vaccine’.
This led to Timperley becoming a ‘not spot’ for vaccine delivery with some people unable to get vaccines through their GP surgery as many others have done up and down the country.
To alleviate this problem, health bosses decided to establish the Larkhill Centre as a local vaccine hub, which has been a month in the planning.
After this decision was made, the rumours began to spread and queues began to form last week.
Any remaining residents over the age of 80 in Timperley have already been invited for their vaccine and will receive them in the coming weeks.
The Larkhill centre will have five vaccination areas and will be staffed by a team of 60 nurses, pharmacists and support staff. It is set to be open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.
Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) confirmed the centre is due to open on Thursday this week (January 21).
Residents who receive a letter from the national booking service to book their vaccination are now be able to do so at the Timperley site here or by calling 119.
The CCG has also written and sent texts to patients registered with Grove Medical, Village Surgery or Dr Westwood Surgery informing them of ways they can get a vaccination, including at Larkhill.
You can only book an appointment if you have received an invitation to do so.
