The museum has been chosen as a vaccination centre to serve the people of the West Midlands as part of the Government’s roll out of the UK coronavirus vaccine programme.

As a well-known landmark close to good transport links, BCLM proved to be a strong choice to support the work of the NHS in delivering the vaccine to the local community.

The vaccination centre at BCLM is operational from today (25 January), with people most at risk of complications from COVID-19 being invited first.

This Vaccination Centre compliments the GP led vaccination services already running locally with people being sent letters from the National NHS Booking Service to access this and other Centres.

People receiving a letter can book their appointment in two ways. Either by going online at nhs.uk, or by calling 119. You won’t be able to book unless you have received a letter. Sally Roberts, Chief Nurse, Black Country and West Birmingham CCGs said:

“Across the Black Country and West Birmingham a great many people are working hard to rollout vaccinations, starting with those most at risk. Our progress to date has been incredible and I am delighted that our first vaccination centre, which will be capable of delivering thousands more vaccines each week is going live.
  
“We know lots of people will be eager to get protected but please do not try to book or go to the vaccination centre before you receive a letter from the NHS booking service.

“Once you have an appointment to receive your vaccine, please arrive on time, there is no need to arrive for your vaccine earlier than your appointment time as this may result in you and others waiting longer than necessary.”

Please do not call the Museum phone line to book your appointment, as they will be unable to do this for you and please do not attend without an appointment. All bookings must be made directly with the NHS vaccination service.

In order to help NHS staff manage queueing and registration people are being asked to arrive at the vaccination centre no more than 10 minutes before their appointment.

Before people enter the vaccination centre, details of your appointment will be confirmed and a temperature check made to ensure the centre is safe. Andrew Lovett, Chief Executive of Black Country Living Museum, said:

“By hosting the vaccine centre at the Museum we’re able to support the NHS in providing immunisation for the local community. People who book an appointment when they’re eligible and receive the vaccine will be helping the NHS in the most important public health initiative it has ever undertaken.

The vaccination programme is obviously a very important part of combatting the spread of COVID-19; although, in the meantime, continuing to adhere to restrictions and hygiene measures also remains critical.”

Both Dudley MP’s, Marco Longhi (Dudley North) and Mike Wood (Dudley South) visited the site and were impressed by the facility. Mr Wood said:

“It’s been fantastic seeing how well organised everything is and the great work that has been done by the Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, other staff and volunteers who have worked so hard to set up this brilliant facility.

“This site will be doing a thousand vaccines per day, meaning they can offer seven thousand vaccines each week to the most clinically vulnerable people. This is on top of all the other vaccination centres around the borough – making sure that all of those on the priority list can be vaccinated as quickly as possible.

”Again, people don’t need to contact their GP or do anything until they’re invited for an appointment – but, once people do get that letter or call from their GP, I would strongly encourage them to make their appointment and come along to sites like this which are doing such a fantastic job.

“The team here will look after you, they’ll make sure that it’s safe and well organised, and you’ll know that you’re doing your bit in protecting yourself and those around you.”