TWO new Covid vaccination sites have been confirmed for Northwich.

The pharmacy-led sites will open at Hartford Methodist Church and at the Well Pharmacy in Barnton on Monday, June 21.

Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group announced the opening of the additional sites, as it confirmed a new vaccination centre in Ellesmere Pork and another pharmacy led site at the Vernon Way Tesco in Crewe.

As part of the plan, vaccination services will move from Chester Racecourse to the new Ellesmere centre when that facility closes to the public on Saturday, June 19.

Each of the vaccination services will help to make it convenient for eligible people to access the vaccine closer to where they live.

Across Cheshire West and Chester, more than 210,000 people have received their first dose of the vaccine, with more than 130,000 having had both.

Nationally, across England the first dose total is just under 32 million for the first dose, while nearly 20 million have now received both.

Sheena Cumiskey, CEO for Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, who have led operations at Chester Racecourse, said: "CWP are very proud to play our part, and we would like to thank Chester Racecourse for accommodating the vaccination centre over the last few months, their help and support has been truly invaluable to help protect the communities we serve.

“In the last three months we are proud to have vaccinated over 55,000 people thanks to NHS staff and volunteers doing an incredible job to deliver the largest vaccination programme in health service history, and the positive feedback from local people for the running of the vaccination centre has been fantastic.

“The centre has utilised a network of over 650 volunteers who have filled over 6,000 shifts – including staff from the NHS, Cheshire and Merseyside Fire Service, St Johns Ambulance and Chester Racecourse.

“We look forward to being able to continue to offer this to our wider population, in line with the JCVI guidance.”

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Louise Gittins, said: “We’re really enthusiastic about the next phase of the vaccination programme in Cheshire and I would like to encourage everyone to book their Covid-19 vaccination appointment when they become eligible.”

People aged 32 and above who have not had their Covid-19 vaccination can book an appointment at Cheshire’s vaccination services via www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, where they can choose a time slot and location that suits them.

People who are eligible, but without online access, can call 119 to book a jab free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. People are also able to book appointments on behalf of people they care for if they are unable to do it themselves.

Appointment slots are continually added for people who are eligible to book through the national booking services, we would advise people to keep checking as availability is updated regularly.

Please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to, and make sure you come back for your second dose.

People who booked online can remind themselves of the place and time of their second dose using the ‘manage my appointments’ section on www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

All vaccination centres are staffed by clinicians, trained vaccinators, administrative staff and a range of volunteers who help make a visit run as smoothly and safely as possible. For further information about what you need to bring to your appointment, what to do if you get COVID-19 symptoms, and directions to Ellesmere Port Civic Hall please visit our website www.cwp.nhs.uk.