‘Limited capacity’ at Derry’s main vaccine centre

The Western Trust has said there is ‘limited capacity’ at the regional vaccination centre in Foyle Arena as it is being taken up by scheduled second doses.
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The Trust was responding to concerns raised that people in the 35-39 age group were having difficulty booking their covid vaccine at the local facility.

A spokesperson from the Western Health and Social Care Trust, said: “The Trust opened slots for the first week of May in response to the full release of the 35-39 age cohort, but these were very quickly booked up.

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“We have limited capacity in our centres as considerable capacity is being taken up by scheduled second doses which are already planned in.”

The Trust said they are releasing further slots as soon as possible.

“We are keeping the matter under review and releasing capacity as soon as possible, including capacity released by cancellations, on a daily basis. It is anticipated that further slots will be released on a weekly basis in line with DOH direction and appointments can also be accessed at another centre or for those aged 35 and over, at a local participating pharmacy.”

The ‘Journal’ was also made aware of the cancellation of some bookings that were made in June and the Trust has confirmed these slots were released in error.

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The spokesperson said: “In relation to the cancellation of appointments in June, this was due to an error as slots have not yet been released for June.”

The appointments booked for June have been cancelled and the affected individuals have been invited to rebook.

“At this time we only have instruction from DOH to release slots up to the May 9. This takes us to July for second dose appointments. Any further release will guided by the DOH”.

Meanwhile, Derry City and Strabane District Council have confirmed they will continue to make its services at local leisure facilities ‘available to the Trust for as long as they are required’.