Knaresborough’s vaccination centre will move to a larger site to be able to offer the flu vaccine alongside the covid-19 booster.

The centre will move to Chain Lane Community Hub from 27th September where it will offer covid booster jabs and flu jabs.

The Homecare Pharmacy Vaccine Centre, currently on York Road, is hoping the move will take the pressure off local GP practices during the winter months.

Sue Vasey, representing Chain Lane Community Hub, said:

“In these difficult times we wanted to ensure that the Hub played as active a role as possible in responding to the needs of the local community, and our ability to provide this service for Knaresborough, in spacious and accessible surroundings with ample parking felt an important thing to do.”

Despite the need to relocate some of their usual activities, Sue explained that Chain Lane will not be closed to the community.

She added:

“Inevitably this will mean some disruption and we thank all our centre users, hirers, staff, volunteers, and partner organisations for helping us make these changes at speed.

“These are unprecedented times and it is heartening to see the Knaresborough Community coming together to face the challenge.”

Knaresborough Connectors have also pooled their resources with Chain Lane Community Hub and Homecare Pharmacy to provide the service.

Peter Lacey from Knaresborough Connectors said:

“Having played a key co-ordinating role for volunteers at the showground vaccination centre Connectors are only too aware of how important friendly and efficient helping hands are.

“We’re also deeply committed to working in a collaborative way across our town to see our amazing physical and human assets brought together for the good of the town.

“This is a very welcome opportunity and we look forward to working together in the coming months.”

Jason Baskind, spokesman for HomeCare Pharmacy said:

“The whole team involved in the Homecare Pharmacy Vaccination Hub are very excited to begin our next chapter working in the Chain Lane Community Hub and becoming a greater part of the Knaresborough community.

“With the aid of the wonderful Knaresborough Connectors, we are looking forward to supporting the local and surrounding areas in the next stages of the vaccination programme and will continue to strive in making the experience tailored and comfortable for each individual who walks through our door.

“It has been a great experience so far, being a part of the fight to end Covid-19, and we are committed to carrying on into the next steps of vaccinating Knaresborough and beyond!”

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