The Hawks Road NHS site in Norbiton has been announced as the first large COVID-19 vaccination site for the borough of Kingston upon Thames.

The vaccination site is scheduled to open by the end of January 2021.

When it is their allocated time, people will receive an invitation to have their vaccine - for most people this will be in the form of a letter, either from their GP or the NHS. The letter will contain a link to book a vaccination slot online, as well as a telephone number for those for whom online booking is not possible.

No entry will be granted to the site without an appointment and people are urged not to call their GP to get an appointment, everyone should wait until they are contacted by the NHS.

Further information on the vaccine is available on the Kingston Council website at kingston.gov.uk/vaccine

Dr Nazim Jivani, local GP and Clinical Lead for Kingston Borough said:

"Our teams have done an amazing job working quickly to get ready to meet the tough logistical challenges of offering the vaccinations, and we are immensely grateful for the support from Kingston Council and all the staff at the Hawks Road site.

"The coronavirus vaccines are safe and effective, and will offer people a vital defence against the virus, but we can't be complacent, it is still so important that people continue to follow government guidance and keep their distance.

"The NHS will invite eligible people for the vaccine at a set time to ensure those most at risk are prioritised, it is important not to contact your GP for a vaccination before then."

Kingston Council's Director of Public Health Iona Lidington said:

"Vaccinating as many people as possible across our borough is the most effective way of bringing COVID-19 under control, and offers us all realistic hope of a route out of the pandemic. The announcement of the opening of the vaccination site at Hawks Road is very welcome good news. I would appeal to any residents not currently registered with a GP to do so straight away so they will be on a list for vaccination and can be contacted when their turn comes.

"With our local NHS under immense pressure, if we all take personal responsibility and play our part by having the vaccine when it is offered to us, we can all look forward to a brighter, safer and more secure future."

Leader of Kingston Council, Caroline Kerr said:

"The local vaccine rollout at Hawks Road in Kingston, which will be managed by the NHS, will form part of the largest mass vaccination programme in our country's history. The vaccine is safe and effective, and gives you the best possible protection against coronavirus. It is however important to realise that the vaccine is only one of the weapons in our armoury in combating the virus and until it has taken full effect we must still follow all the national guidelines.

"We must not overlook the basics at this crucial point in the COVID-19 battle, so please remember the mantra of HANDS - FACE - SPACE, keep essential contact with others to an absolute minimum, keep rooms well ventilated, and at the first sign of symptoms get tested and self-isolate for 10 days.

"It is by us all taking individual responsibility through this combined and united approach that we will return to normal life once more."

The order of priority for the programme has been set nationally by the Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisations (JCVI), and the administration of the vaccination is led by the NHS. There are a large number of people who fall within these initial priority groups, so residents should not be concerned if they have not yet received a letter

The vaccine requires two appointments - a first dose, and a further booster after a number of weeks. Once invited for their appointment to have the vaccine, residents must make sure they turn up for both the first and second dose. This will mean they receive the fullest possible protection against COVID-19, as well as ensuring there is no waste of precious vaccines or the valuable time of our local NHS staff.