THE roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine for the Wellington area begins today (Friday) with a 12-hour session at the Cottage Hospital, off South Street, writes Barry Knott.

Jabs for the over-80s and the most vulnerable will start at 8am and will continue until 8pm this evening. Vaccinations will continue at the hospital over the same hours tomorrow, Sunday and Monday.

The vaccinations roll-out could not come at a better time as the virus has hit Wellington hard in recent weeks with deaths being reported.

The hospital is ideally placed in the town centre with the South Street car park over the road for those being immunised. The nearby Baptist Church will be used as a ‘15-minute vaccine rest’. Other facilities for carrying out vaccinations are expected to open locally in the near future.

Mayor of Wellington Janet Lloyd said yesterday: “I am so pleased to hear that a vaccination centre is being set up at the Community Hospital in Wellington. As it is in the centre of the town it will be so accessible to everyone and it is good to use the facility for the benefit of our community.

“I was wondering where and how far people would have to travel for their vaccination but this site is ideal. It is excellent news.”

For the full story, see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.