Pendle News Room

“It’s eight weeks since mobile units were in Pendle for first Pfizer jabs,” said Leader of Pendle Council, Councillor Nadeem Ahmed.

“The NHS vaccination bus is returning to make it easy for people to get their second dose, giving them extra protection against the virus,” he explained.

People can get their second vaccination if it’s been 56 days (eight weeks) since their first dose.
 In a bid to boost take-up of the second Pfizer vaccinations, a Community Engagement Team is out door knocking to alert local people to the bus.

The team will be handing out leaflets which also flag up other vaccination walk-in options in Pendle at Barkerhouse Pharmacy Nelson for first and second doses of Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines.

And Taylors Pharmacy in Nelson for first dose Moderna or second dose of AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccinations. 
 Councillor Ahmed said:

“Pendle is an area targeted for extra support due to high cases and high infection rates here.

“We are making the most of surge vaccinations and testing, together with help from community teams, in a bid to slow down the spread of the virus in our area,” he explained.

The team of eight provided by Lancashire County Council is working alongside Pendle Council’s Covid Officers in neighbourhoods where the vaccination bus is providing second Pfizer jabs.

And they are targeting areas in Pendle where vaccination take-up has been lower.

The friendly team will be door knocking in Brierfield and Nelson on Thursday 29 July flagging up the mobile vaccination unit in Brierfield on that day.

The vaccination bus will be in the Community Centre car park Brierfield on Thursday 29 July from 10am until 4pm. 

On Friday 30 July the team will be out door knocking in Colne as the vaccination bus is at Colne Market car park from 9.30am until 12.30pm.

The team will also be out in neighbourhoods in Nelson to alert people to Barkerhouse and Taylors Pharmacies in Nelson which are offering walk in vaccinations to anyone aged 18 and over.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health for Lancashire County Council, said:
"Without a doubt, having two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and testing twice-weekly are the two biggest things we can do to protect ourselves and those around us.

"Having both doses of the vaccine will significantly reduce the chance of developing severe disease and dying, and it will also reduce the chance of spreading the virus to other people.

“This is why Lancashire County Council is currently carrying out engagement work in partnership with Pendle Council, to reinforce this message.

"The community engagement team will be door knocking in various locations to provide information about vaccinations and testing, and to try and answer any questions residents have,” he explained.

Details about where to get vaccinated and testing options are available on Pendle Council’s website: www.pendle.gov.uk/coronavirus  
Next Friday 6th and Saturday 7th August the team’s focus will be on Barnoldswick when the vaccination bus will be on the Co-op car park on Saturday 7 August from 10am until 4pm.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi added:
"Vaccinations do not mean you can't catch the virus and spread it on to other people.

"This is why we all need to continue to take sensible steps, such as washing hands regularly and wearing face masks in crowded places and getting tested regularly.

"Regular asymptomatic testing is still important after you have had two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, as you can catch the virus and not develop any symptoms,” he said.

“Please get a lateral flow test kit so that you can test yourself twice a week,” added Councillor Ahmed.

It is still a legal requirement for anyone with symptoms to get a full PCR test, no matter how mild the symptoms are and to get a full test if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive. 

Details and latest information is on Pendle Council’s website www.pendle.gov.uk/coronavirus

"If you are eligible and have not yet had two doses of the vaccine, please take advantage of the extra clinics being held in Pendle and other parts of Lancashire to protect yourself and those you care about,” said Dr Karunanithi.