Riverside vaccination centre now open

A large scale NHS COVID-19 vaccination centre is now open at the Riverside Centre in Newport, seven-days-a-week.

The centre is open from 8am until 8pm every day and complements other GP and hospital services across the Island. This means that Island residents will be able to receive their vaccination on the Island.

The focus for vaccinations remains on those in the priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations.

People will need an appointment to get their vaccine; most people will be invited by a letter and will then have the opportunity to go onto the national booking system and book an appointment slot, or call 119.

If people are unable to book an appointment on the Island, the national booking system may offer an appointment on the mainland as an alternative. People should continue to check the booking system regularly as more slots on the Isle of Wight will become available. There is no need for anyone to go to the mainland for a vaccination.

People who book into the vaccine centre will be greeted by a dedicated team of clinicians, vaccinators, administrative staff and volunteers who will help make a visit run as smoothly and safely as possible. Bookings are staggered to allow social distancing and everyone will receive a health status check and a pre-vaccination assessment before they have their jab.

Travelling to the Riverside vaccination centre

• People who are being vaccinated, as well as harbour users, will need to travel into the area via Fairlee Road, through Seaclose. There will be no access to the harbour via Sea Street.
• Parking and drop of points are available on the harbour. The first hour of parking on the harbour is free.
• When leaving the Riverside Centre or harbour, vehicles can exit over the bridge via Sea Street, or can return via Seaclose and Fairlee Road.
• Pedestrians can access the site on foot from any direction.

Dr Dan Baylis, chief medical officer at Solent NHS Trust, which is running the large-scale vaccination centres across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: “We are excited to be delivering the COVID-19 vaccination programme at scale to help protect people living on the Isle of Wight from COVID-19. I would encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 when they are invited by the NHS.”

Dr Michele Legg, GP and chair of NHS Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It is great news that the opening of the vaccination centre will help us vaccinate our residents as quickly as vaccinations reach us.

“We must continue to wash our hands regularly for 20 seconds, wear a face covering and maintain social distancing. I want to thank everyone for all their efforts in keeping this up over the past ten months and make a plea that they continue to do so.”

The NHS will get in contact with you to offer you an appointment. Please do not contact your GP practice in the meantime. These NHS webpages have more information about how the vaccine is being rolled out across the Island.

Remember hands – face – space and ventilate.

Latest coronavirus data for the Island

These are the latest published COVID-19 statistics for the Isle of Wight, from Public Health England.

You can read the full COVID-19 data report on our website.

The graphic shows the COVID-19 statistics published by Public Health England on 1 February 2021 including data up to 31 January 2021:

• 6,227 – The number of confirmed cases to date of Island residents who have received a positive COVID-19 test result since March 2020. This is based on the residential address of the person tested rather than where they are registered with a GP.
• 415 – The number of positive cases in the seven-day period.
• 292.7 – Weekly cases per 100,000. This is the number of Island residents who have received a positive COVID-19 test result in the seven-day period, divided by the total population of the Island.

It is vital we all continue to follow the government guidelines during national restrictions: hands, face, space. 

• Wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser regularly.
• Wear a face-covering where appropriate.
• Keep space from other people; two metres or at least one metre apart.

Newclose testing site now open on Sundays

The Island’s COVID-19 testing centre is now open seven days a week from 8.30am until 4.30pm, including Sundays for the first time.

The changes will enable more tests to be carried out as needed.

The testing site is at:

• Newclose County Cricket Ground, Blackwater Road, Newport, PO30 3BE.

People with COVID-19 symptoms who are unable to get a test slot online should call 119 and will then be advised of available appointments. Home testing kits can also be ordered online or via 119.

Simon Bryant, the Island’s director of public health, said: “It remains extremely important that we all stick to the guidelines and stay at home – only leave home to purchase essential items, get a COVID-19 test, for exercise or to work if you absolutely cannot work from home.

“If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, self-isolate and don’t leave home for any reason except to get a test.”