Chester Cathedral opens as a Covid vaccine centre

Chester Cathedral has been transformed into a pop up Covid vaccine centre and is encouraging anyone aged 16 and above to get vaccinated this Christmas.

COVID Vaccine Centre Opens at Chester Cathedral

Military personnel will be supporting NHS staff at the clinic which is operated by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust offering a first, second or booster dose to people who are able to simply walk into the Cathedral from Wednesday 15th until Tuesday 21st December.

The Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford, Dean of Chester Cathedral said:

“One year ago, we found ourselves closing the Cathedral doors as England went into lockdown.  As we re-opened in April of this year, we were pleased to assist Cheshire fight the pandemic by hosting a testing centre for Cestrians, and now, at our busiest time of year, we are delighted to help our community once again by hosting this pop-up vaccination clinic at the heart of the city.”

Clare Watson, Accountable Officer of NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to have secured the support of military personnel for a week-long pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Chester Cathedral. 

“The team will be delivering hundreds of vaccinations every day so please feel free to pop in if you’re eligible for a first, second or booster dose.

“If you are unable to attend a walk-in clinic, you can arrange your vaccination appointments via the National Booking Service, by calling 119 or by responding to an invitation from your local NHS service.”

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said:

“We’re really pleased to play our part with our partners to hold this week-long clinic at the Cathedral. It’s never been more important for us all to look after each other, and getting your vaccine or booster is the best defence we have as a community against COVID-19.

“This clinic is all about making it easy for people to pop in and get it done so please make the most of that.”

Currently, more than 2,000 new Covid cases a week are being reported in Cheshire West and Chester.

Two of those cases have been confirmed to be from the new Omicron variant, which is expected to become the dominant strain in the UK in the coming weeks and months.

Other vaccine centres opened during earlier waves of the pandemic at Blackburn, Salisbury and Lichfield cathedral.