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The NHS is preparing to open dozens of mass vaccination centers in England to vaccinate people against Covid-19.
There will be at least 42 centers, located in places like conference centers, and the NHS plans to hire tens of thousands of employees to run them, the Health Service Journal reported.
New details of how people will receive the vaccine will arrive as NHS England prepares to publish its ‘implementation plan’ on how it will store, distribute and administer the vaccine.
Sir Simon Stevens, its chief executive, and Boris Johnson are expected to promote the plan during a press conference on Friday. The prime minister is currently isolating himself after close contact with a Conservative MP who tested positive for coronavirus.
There will be at least one mass vaccination center in each of the 42 NHS partnership and sustainability areas and the centers will be located in larger cities and towns.
The Guardian reported last week that each mass vaccination center will vaccinate between 2,000 and 5,000 people a day.
Derby City Council has offered the Derby Arena to the NHS as the venue for one of the centers. “The stadium is a perfect place. It has plenty of space, parking and good transport networks to serve Derby, Derbyshire and beyond, ”said Council Member Chris Poulter, leader of the council. “Derby is honored to have the opportunity to play such an important role in any vaccination program.”
The NHS plans to hire 6,000 employees to run the centers in the South East and 5,000 in London, suggesting that it will have to use 30,000 to 40,000 additional employees, potentially over many months.
However, it is likely that mass vaccination centers comprise the second phase of the NHS ‘mass vaccine deployment effort. Some 1,560 “designated sites” run by GPs will be the first places to deliver the vaccine, initially to vulnerable groups, such as those who are protecting due to serious medical conditions and those over 80 years of age.