LOOE’s Millpool Centre has been used today as a ‘pop-up’ Covid-19 vaccination centre on a trial basis.

If the venue proves safe and successful, it’s hoped that the Millpool Centre will be made available for local residents as the roll-out of the vaccine continues in East Cornwall.

In a post on social media, Looe Town Council thanked The Old Bridge Surgery team for their hard work and dedication in getting the vaccine to as many people as possibly quickly, the Looe Development Trust for the use of the centre today, and the Looe Lions for marshalling the day.

“The Millpool Centre will be operating only as a pop-up trial Covid-19 vaccination centre in order to ensure it is safe and secure and 100% accessible for local people. It will also complete the immunisation programme for those in the 80 plus age group,” said Looe Town Council.

“In the meantime the Millennium Centre in Pensilva continues to roll out at pace with the over 75s starting to be invited this week.”

The East Cornwall Primary Care Network also ran a vaccination clinic at the Council Chambers in Torpoint today – and at the China Fleet Country Club in Saltash, which will continue acting as a clinic until Saturday.

Dr Penny Atkinson, clinical director for the ECPCN said: “We appreciate the concern residents have expressed regarding the rurality of the area and the distance some faced travelling to the vaccination clinics at Pensilva.

“It is why we are delighted to say that we have been able to offer vaccinations at three further sites to our patients registered with the Rame Group Practice, Saltash Health Centre, Old Bridge Surgery and Quay Lane Surgery.

“It has been a real collaborative effort. Primary care teams across the area have been working at great speed to make sure these further ‘pop-up’ sites could be provided as quickly as possible.

“We would like to thank everyone who has been involved, especially the China Fleet Country Club, who has been extremely supportive in allowing us to use their site.

“We are committed to vaccinating our most vulnerable as quickly as we possibly can, based on the national advice, but please be patient and bear with us as we continue with the roll-out.”

The order in which people are offered the vaccine is based on advice from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation at a national level.

When it is your turn to receive the vaccine, based on the priority groups set out by the JCVI advice, you will be contacted by the NHS - please do not contact your GP practice, local hospital, or other local NHS services.

Dean Bennett, managing director of China Fleet Country Club, said: “We feel very proud to be able to play a part in helping the NHS with the largest immunisation programme in our history.

“We know how much it means to our local community to see their family and loved ones protected and a sense of normality begin to return.”