Media Release
Date: 15 March 2021
Bath Racecourse NHS vaccine centre tops 1000 appointments a day
More than a thousand people a day are now being given their first coronavirus jab at the large public vaccination centre at Bath Racecourse.
The centre has doubled its 500-plus capacity of people from eligible age groups in the local community. It has also doubled its number of vaccination staff, increased its numbers of car parking marshals and volunteers and opened a second vaccination pod to help cope with demand.
Vaccine Centre Operations Director Heather Cooper said: "It's a really significant day - as significant as the first day we opened. Five hundred people a day is a lot, but to double that and to double staff numbers is really impressive. It's all been very positive and the feedback from public and staff has been great."
Steve Jones, who travelled from Yate in South Gloucestershire for his appointment, said: "It's been a really good experience and I'm so pleased I've had my first vaccination. Everyone's been really friendly and it's been quick and efficient. For me, once lockdown eases a bit, it means I can now get out in the open air and meet people again, watch my son play football, go back in to work and to socialise with people much more than we've done over the past 12 months."
The vaccine centre is currently offering appointments to people in the 55+ age group, and is ready to see those in the next group, the 50 year olds and over, once they are invited to have their jab.
People are asked not to turn up at Bath Racecourse without an appointment as the vaccination staff will be unable to give the jab to anyone without a pre-arranged vaccine slot.
The Centre has had to reschedule a number of appointments in April, May and June and has apologised for any inconvenience.
Appointments have been cancelled on 6 and 16 April; 3, 12 and 21 May, and 4, 12, 23 and 30 June.
If you have been notified that your appointment has been cancelled, please make sure you re-book your appointment as soon as possible using the national booking system at nhs.uk/covidvaccination or call 119.
More information about the local vaccination programme can be found here:
COVID-19 Vaccination information