We received the announcement below from the Herts and West Essex NHS. Anyone over 40 can now get first and second vaccinations at the regional vaccination centres without an appointment this week (12-16th May). The nearest centre to Uttlesford is on the northern outskirts of Bishop’s Stortford, however residents can attend any centre. The Bishop’s Stortford Avanti centre has drop-in sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Harlow every day until Sunday. It is not known if the NHS will extend the walk-in programme beyond the weekend.
Even though the NHS are targeting those who have not already booked appointments, we’ve spoken to them and anyone, including those that already have a later booking, can simply attend any of the walk in sessions. We have been told that this new facility is part of a program to speed up delivery of AstraZeneca doses so that the NHS can clear vaccination centre capacity for Pfizer doses to the under 40s.
Update on Friday 14th: We were told that those who want second jabs, who had their first injection 8 weeks ago or more could attend. We have had reports of second-dose people being turned away from Avanti centre in Bishop’s Stortford. We have re-checked with the NHS on Friday morning and seems Avanti are operating slightly differently and are not accepting walk-ins for second jabs unfortunately at this time. Apologies to those that went and thanks for alerting us so we could recheck.
On Friday we have had confirmation from 2 residents that the Harlow centre is accepting second jab walk-ins for those over 8 weeks since the first one.
In light of the discrepancies between centres, if you’re looking for a second jab on walk-in, it may make sense to contact the NHS centre you are considering to check before travelling.
All attendees to bring a copy of their NHS number and an identity document (see below).
Below is the statement from the NHS:
Hurry! Drop-in COVID-19 vaccination sessions available this week
Anyone over 40 years of age can walk into a number of vaccination centres across Hertfordshire and west Essex this week without the need for an appointment – making it even easier to start to get protected against COVID-19.
For the first time in the local vaccination programme, drop-in sessions are being offered at our large vaccination centres, to make the most of available vaccine supplies. That’s why, for a limited period, people who have yet to book their vaccine can turn up at a number of sites in Hertfordshire and west Essex during opening hours to receive their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
A list of venues and opening times are available here: https://covid.healthierfuture.org.uk/vaccination-walk-times-40-year-olds-10-16-may-2021
Anyone who is 40+ or currently eligible to be vaccinated for another reason should ideally bring their NHS number with them to their appointment – which you can find online here if you don’t know it. Otherwise, any other recognised form of identification, such as a driving license, passport or utility bill, will be fine.
There are plenty of appointments available for those people who are eligible and prefer to make a booked appointment – either directly with participating GP practices or by using the National Booking Service.
The Avanti School vaccination centre in Bishop’s Stortford and the Chells Manor community pharmacy vaccination centre in Stevenage are both offering Pfizer vaccine sessions on Wednesday 12, Thursday 13 and Friday 14 May this week. Pfizer appointments at these locations must be booked through the online National Booking Service or by calling 119. Further information about the vaccination programme across Hertfordshire and west Essex can be found here: https://covid.healthierfuture.org.uk/
Walk-in times for the AstraZeneca vaccine are as follows:
Covid Vaccination centre walk-in times 12-16th May
NHS Covid Vaccinations Centres, Herts and West Essex