Home   Medway   News   Article

Mass Covid vaccine centre confirmed for Medway, says Town MPs

MPs have confirmed the Medway Towns will get a dedicated mass coronavirus vaccination centre.

The inoculation hub is expected to open next month at an as yet unannounced location and will have a capacity to vaccinate up to 3,000 people a day, it is understood.

Medway MP Rehman Chishti had raised the issue in the House of Commons. Picture: ParliamentTV
Medway MP Rehman Chishti had raised the issue in the House of Commons. Picture: ParliamentTV

Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chisti announced the decision on his social media accounts.

In a post on the MP's Facebook page he said: "Today, I am pleased to say that following a meeting with the Kent and Medway CCG and representations made to government at all levels, I can confirm that a mass vaccination centre will be opening in Medway.

"This marks the success of weeks of intensive campaigning and representations made to ministers, government, and NHS England by myself and fellow Medway MPs.

Health chiefs are yet to confirm the decision although the Kent and Medway clinical commissioning group has not ruled out more centres.

It comes after the Kent Community Health NHS Trust, the branch of the health service organising and running the mass vaccination hubs, confirmed last week there were currently no plans for Medway's own dedicated site.

Instead the 280,000 residents were to be covered by the large-scale centre in Gravesend, GP surgeries, pharmacies and an expansion of the vaccine programme at Medway Maritime Hospital.

Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst said it would be a relief for her constituents. picture: UK Gov
Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst said it would be a relief for her constituents. picture: UK Gov

But Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst told KentOnline a new mass Covid-19 vaccination centre had now been secured and would go ahead.

"We will be getting a vaccination centre in Medway," she said, but added negotiations were still ongoing over the finer details.

"For me it is a no brainer. I think that is the feeling for most and there is no conspiracy about it."

The exact location is being kept under wraps for now but Ms Tollhurst said they would reveal this information as soon as they can.

She added: "I'm not trying to hide anything but I don't want to put it out there and there is a problem."

But the Rochester and Strood MP was assured the Medway Towns would now get its own vaccine hub and said this would provide a welcome relief to many worried residents.

She said: "We just wanted to reassure people that Medway is not any different from Kent, it has not been forgotten.

"We are going to keep pushing and managing that. Everyone has lost people, myself included. I have lost friends over the last six weeks. I think everyone is affected."

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More