Thank you to everyone who has been in touch to offer and suggest possible locations for extra vaccinations for Deal.
I am pressing the vaccines minister and local health chiefs for extra, faster delivery for Deal and Dover – including through local pharmacies and a second community hub.
The Dover District Vaccination Centre completed more than 1,000 vaccines in its first few days with thousands more due to be rolled out over the coming weeks for Dover, Deal and our rural and coastal villages.
More community testing facilities have been added for asymptomatic testing. There are hundreds of appointments available every day at Dover, Sandwich, Folkestone and Canterbury. Tests can be booked at https://kcc.healthit.org.uk/covbook/home Book a separate slot for each member of your household you want to be tested.
The current restrictions do allow for neighbours and friends to act as volunteer drivers for older people who have a vaccination appointment, although masks, open car windows and other precautions should continue to be in place for those who are helping others travel to their appointment.
The provision of rapid turnaround testing is important, alongside the lockdown restrictions and the roll out of the vaccination programme to those most at risk in our community. I would encourage everybody who can to book a test and take up their vaccination appointment when invited to do so.