No appointment necessary, as more walk-in vaccination clinics open

People yet to have the lifesaving coronavirus vaccine are being encouraged to attend one of the many walk-in clinics now open across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.

Over the last week, many of the region’s vaccination centres have introduced a walk-in policy, meaning people can turn up without an appointment and still receive the vaccine.

Now, even more locations have started to offer a walk-in service, with the Corn Exchange in Devizes and ABC Drug Store in Downton, near Salisbury, the latest venues to do so.

The coronavirus vaccine, which experts cite as one of the best forms of protection against Covid-19, is currently available to all people over the age of 18, as well as anyone aged 16 and over with an underlying health condition.

Dr Ian Williams, Clinical Director, Devizes Primary Care Network, said: “We know the majority of people receiving vaccines at the moment are those aged between 18 and 29, and we also know these younger groups like to be able to drop-in to a venue at a time that suits them, which is why we are choosing to open up the Corn Exchange to walk-ins.

“By giving our local residents the freedom to get vaccinated at a time that’s convenient to them, we hope as many people as possible will come forward over the next few days to get protected.

“Having the jab not only helps to keep coronavirus at bay, but also ensures that, when the time comes, people will be able to return to doing the things they love, such as travelling abroad, visiting nightclubs and attending large scale events, all of which will soon require proof of vaccination.”  

The Corn Exchange in Devizes will be accepting walk-ins for first and second doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines on Friday 23, Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 July, with the venue running both a morning and afternoon clinic.

ABC Drug Store in Downton, near Salisbury, will be open for walk-ins on Monday 26, Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 July.

Pfizer vaccines will be available each day except Thursday 29 July, when the team will only be offering the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Second doses of both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine cannot be given until at least eight weeks after the date of a person’s first vaccination.

Walk-in clinics are also running at other vaccine centres across the region, including the Steam Museum in Swindon, the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, Bath Racecourse, Salisbury City Hall, Lyneham Pharmacy and Spencer Sport and Social Club in Melksham.

Dates and times for all the walk-in clinics operating in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire can be found online at www.bswicb.nhs.uk.