City Hall vaccine site: From booking to queuing and parking

After transforming the Malthouse Lane venue into a mass vaccination centre, NHS staff will invite people aged 80 or above to make their way to the site to receive the first dose of the Covid jab.

Read more: The 27 vaccination sites up and running in Wiltshire CCG area

It is hoped the beginning of the rollout at City Hall will speed up the immunisation programme across Salisbury and south Wiltshire, with thousands of people expected to receive the vaccine each week.

As City Hall is about to reopen its doors to provide a way out from the Covid crisis, here are 5 things you should know about how it will all work.

Read more:

• Vaccinations at City Hall to start next week
• Behind the scenes at City Hall's large-scale vaccination site 
• City Hall expected to administer 900 jabs a day in second week
• Why City Hall 'couldn't be set up any quicker'
• Find out when you could get the Covid jab
• The 19 GP-led sites set up in the Wiltshire CCG area

1. Booking

Everyone currently eligible for a coronavirus vaccine, and living within a 45-minute drive of City Hall, will receive a letter with details of how to book an appointment.

Anyone who receives a letter will be able to choose whether to have the vaccine at City Hall or wait to be invited to a GP-led vaccination clinic, such as Salisbury Cathedral.

Salisbury Cathedral, Wilton's Michael Herbert Hall, Tidworth Leisure Centre and Salisbury Plain Health Centre in Larkhill will continue to run alongside City Hall on an invite-only basis.

City Hall will operate seven days a week, between 8am and 8pm.

2. Queues

The reception area at City Hall is where people invited to attend will queue up before being called to the main hall.

After entering the building and sanitising their hands, patients with an appointment will be asked to line up respecting a two-metre distance. There are markings on the floor showing people where to stand.

Wheelchairs (on the right) are available for anyone who might need one and more space (on the left) can be made available to accommodate people queuing if the weather is bad.

3. Getting the jab

When patients are invited to the main hall, they will see two pods.

Each consists of five vaccine stations with two vaccinators.

People will be asked to take a seat until they are asked to come forward to sign some paperwork and ultimately receive the injection.

4. The vaccine used

Doctors and nurses at City Hall will be using the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, at least for the first few weeks.

This means that once patients have received the injection there is no need for them to wait before leaving the premises.

However, if they feel a bit light-headed and would like to sit or lay down, chairs and beds are on hand.

Should staff receive deliveries of a different jab in the future, such as the Pfizer/BioNTech one, changes to the venue will be made to ensure there is enough space to allow patients to stay behind for the 15-minute observation period required.

5. Parking

People will be able to park at Central Car Park which has capacity for 1500 vehicles. 

NHS staff and volunteers will be able to park for free, but not patients.

Parking after 6pm is free.

Get more Salisbury news.

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.