The leader of Bracknell Forest Council has hailed the area’s vaccination programme, with residents in Bracknell Forest being able to get their vaccines on demand at two locations in the town.

Councillor Paul Bettison, OBE, the leader of Bracknell Forest Council writes: 

“This week I would like to start by thanking residents who are helping protect those around them by getting their COVID-19 vaccines.

“This is an extremely important part of our fight against the virus, and I’m delighted that Bracknell Forest residents aged 18 and over are able to walk-in to two sites and get a first or second COVID-19 vaccination, without needing an appointment.

“These vaccination sites are located at Waitrose Sports and Leisure Centre and the Birch Hill Medical Centre, and you can find key information such as opening times on our website.”

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On demand vaccinations at these two locations began on Friday, July 2 and will end on Friday, July 9.

Residents can take their first or second shot of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines at Waitrose Sports and Leisure Centre off Willoughby Road in Bracknell (RG12 8FP) from 9am to 12pm on Thursday, July 8 and Friday, July 9.

You can also get your first or second shot of the Pfizer vaccine at the  Birch Hill Medical Centre in Birch Hill Road, Leppington, Bracknell (RG12 7WW) from 8.30am to 1.30pm on Thursday, July 8 only.

Cllr Bettison continued: “If you’ll be attending either site to have your second dose, then you need to make sure that it has been at least eight weeks since your first dose, and you go to a session offering the same vaccine as your first dose.

“If you already have your second dose appointment booked, you can use the walk-in service at a session that is offering the same vaccine as your first dose. Please cancel your original appointment to allow it to be reallocated. If your second dose was booked on the national booking system, you will need to go to the national booking system or call 119 to cancel. If you booked by a local vaccination service, you need to contact them to cancel.

“If you don’t want to use one of the walk-in sites, then you can still book your vaccination by the national booking system. If you do not have internet access or cannot go online, then you can call the service on 119 instead to book your jab.

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“Finally, I’d like to celebrate recent climate change statistics that were announced which show the progress being made for our objective of making the borough carbon neutral by 2050.

“The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy published the annual CO2 emissions for 2019, which showed that compared to other local authorities in the South East of England, Bracknell Forest Council is in the top three of local authorities who have been able to reduce emissions.

“It is fantastic to see that we are in the top three of local authorities who have been able to reduce emissions and should remind us that our efforts do not go unseen. You can read the full story on our website.

“Stay safe and have a good week.”