Older residents received their first coronavirus vaccine jab at Bridport Medical Centre as more than 1,700 people were vaccinated over a day dubbed ‘Super Saturday’.
As previously reported, the Jurassic Coast Healthcare Team has expanded its vaccination programme and held the first of several major clinics for people aged 75-79 yesterday.
It comes after the supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine was increased.
Earlier in the week, the Jurassic Coast Healthcare Team said it wanted to vaccinate between 1,500-2,000 people each day at the clinics.
The centre previously said the large volume of vaccinations poses a 'huge logistical challenge' both within the medical centre but also with car parking at the centre and traffic in the surrounding roads.
Yet thanks to the dozens of volunteers from the Bridport Coronavirus Community Support group, ‘no waiting’ signs outside the centre and clear guidance issued by the healthcare team, there was no major disruption reported on Saturday.
Approximately 30 volunteers from the Bridport Coronavirus Community Support group worked at the centre to help direct traffic onto the site and nearby car parks, ask and answer questions and also keep people company before and after the vaccination.
Carl Lewis, of the community group, said that the medical centre had worked with himself and volunteers to help marshal the vaccination days.
He dubbed the day ‘Super Saturday’ due to the huge number of vaccinations scheduled to take place and how important organisation was.
Mr Lewis said: “Usually 900 people are vaccinated per day but today, it is Super Saturday and we have got 1,600 people coming in.
“We have taken over external car parks in the town centre and we are marshalling people to and from the site to get their vaccinations.
“Most of the vulnerable people have been done previously so this is the next stage of the programme.”
It is understood more than 1,700 people were vaccinated on Saturday.
Mr Lewis explained that patients queue outside the centre, enter through the front entrance, which is split into separate corridors where they will be vaccinated.
Patients then exit the building via separate exits and wait for 15 minutes inside a large heated marquee in case they have a reaction to the vaccine.
Mr Lewis said the reaction from patients has been positive, with praise for how efficient and clear the vaccination process is.
He added: “It is lovely doing this job. We are getting really nice feedback about how well it was run and managed.
“It is lovely to get that feedback and see people coming out after having their injection happy.
“It’s great to be a part of it.”
People from Bridport, Beaminster, Lyme Regis, and surrounding areas arrived throughout the day to receive their vaccine, many either with their husbands or wives.
Speaking to patients who received the jab, several praised the efficiency of the clinic and how ‘painless’ the jab was.
One said: “It all feels so British, doesn’t it? I queued, answered some questions, guided to a nurse who gave me the jab and then asked to sit in a marquee afterwards.
“The service and staff have been brilliant.”
Anne and George Steer, both aged 77, had nothing but praise for the staff and marshals at the clinic.
The couple from Bridport explained they received a phone call earlier in the week inviting them to receive the vaccine.
Mrs Steer: “It has been marvellous. The nurses were marvellous in there and so are the staff members and marshals around the site.”
Upon receiving the jab, Mrs Steer said she was quite excited and hoped mass vaccinations will help the country return to some normality.
Mrs Steer said: “With the injection, I expected it to be painful as from what I’ve seen on the TV with the massive needle but it was painless.”
But Mr Steer interjected: “It wasn’t for me – I felt it! But it was absolutely lovely, the whole process.”
Tony Patfield, 75, from Maiden Newton, was accompanied by his wife, Diana, when he received his first dose.
Describing his experience, he said: “It was very well organised and quick.
“The staff have been very welcoming towards me and everyone. They gave us the opportunity to ask questions about what was happening, and they have all been brilliant.”
Mr Patfield commented it was ‘one of the easiest injections’ he has had, and said he ‘never noticed’ the needle.
He hoped that by himself receiving the vaccine that he and his wife can resume travelling when coronavirus measures are eased.
Mr Patfield said: “I think it is very important I had it. I’m 75 years old and if I did catch it, it could have been quite serious and maybe resulted in death.”
Sue Sanders, 78, and Alan Sanders, 79, were in good spirits following their vaccinations, which took place at the same time but in separate rooms.
Mr Sanders, of Bridport, said: “We walked straight in, Sue went in one side, I went in the other and we were back out so quickly that we met each other again almost immediately.
“It was quicker than the flu jab.”
Mrs Sanders: “I cannot believe how well organised and how good the staff were today. Everyone is so happy and it was so positive.”
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