THE Royal Oldham Hospital Vaccination Hub is celebrating after administering its 50,000th Covid-19 vaccination.

Staff and volunteers have worked in with the council, Oldham NHS Clinical Commissioning Group and primary care colleagues to deliver jabs. The vaccine have been given to Northern Care Alliance staff, outpatients, council staff and social and care home staff.

The hub has also been given second doses for community patients and is undertaking first doses for all those over the age of 18. Targeted vaccination schemes for particular cohorts, including clinical vulnerable young carers and now pregnant women over 12 weeks, have also taken place.

Both the Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines are offered at the site, which has extended its operating hours.

It is open from 8am to 8pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

It is also open from 8am to 6pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The hub has pre-booked and walk-in slots available.

Staff also manage and run two community clinics weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays at the Millennium Centre and the European Islamic Centre.

Directorate manager at the hub, Richard Klimiuk, said: “It’s fantastic to reach the 50,000 jab milestone.

"A huge thank you must go to all staff involved in our hub, past and present, clinical and administrative, who without them, this important work to keep everyone safe would not have been possible.

“We don’t want to stop at 50,000 of course so I’d like to encourage anyone who hasn’t yet taken up their offer of a vaccine to pop on down and see us. We’re happy to listen to any questions you may have about the vaccine and our clinical experts will happily guide you through the process.

“Having your Covid-19 vaccine is quick, simple and helps protect you and those you love from the virus.”