Over 20,000 vaccinations carried out at Oldbury leisure centre
A vaccine centre based at a Black Country leisure centre has now vaccinated 20,000 people.
Portway Lifestyle Centre, in Oldbury, was set up as a coronavirus vaccination centre towards the end of December last year.
Since then the facility, which is based in Newbury Lane and run by Sandwell Leisure Trust, has reached the milestone of administering 20,000 first doses of the Covid-19 jab.
Bosses say the centre was set up due to it being a suitable, large venue to use – with strong links to the local GP practices and Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.
Lead by the Portway Family Practice, and used by more than 20 GP surgeries across the Primary Care Network, the team have surpassed the target of offering a first vaccine dose to all of their patients who are registered to the GP Surgery within the top four priority groups by the middle of February.
Dr Arun Saini, from Portway Family Practice, said: "We are delighted to have reached this milestone, so early on into the vaccination programme.
"The support of both our Sandwell Leisure Trust colleagues at Portway Lifestyle Centre and health professionals across all of the GP practices within the network including nurses, GP's, health care support staff and volunteers has been truly overwhelming.
Gratitude
“We would also like to thank all of the local people who have attended their appointments in such great numbers.
"There is substantial evidence showing that vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated – and we encourage those who have not already taken up the offer of a vaccine to come forward."
Ash Rai, chief executive of Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT), added: "SLT are proud to be able to offer our support and leisure facilities to aid the vaccination programme.
"Plus, myself and the team are looking forward to once again being able to re-open the leisure centres for all of our customers who are eager to return."
A vaccination centre has also opened at another of the Sandwell Leisure Trust's venues – Tipton Sports Academy.
