MP and elderly residents praise vaccination centre at Leighton Buzzard Rugby Club

Octogenarians Colin and Sheila Roberts contacted the LBO this morning to give thanks to the staff and volunteers at the centre, describing them as "very friendly" and running an "efficient" process.

The rugby club opened its doors on Thursday (January 14) and Andrew Selous MP visited this afternoon to meet the team and highlight the dedication of the NHS.

Mr Selous said: "This was such an encouraging visit. There is an amazing team of friendly volunteers to greet you on arrival with wheelchairs available for those who need them. The centre is open for seven days a week from 8.30 am in the morning to 8pm at night. Local businesses have been fantastic at supporting the staff and volunteers with some of the supermarkets providing free soft drinks, for example.

"So far just the Pfizer vaccine is being given and it involves a slightly complicated process to prepare it which takes staff extra time.

"It was brilliant to see all three surgeries in the town working together. There was nothing but praise for the Leighton Buzzard Rugby Club who have been wonderful hosts and nothing has been too much trouble for them to provide for the NHS staff and volunteers.

"It was very moving to see people receiving their vaccinations. I saw a number of people I recognised and I was able to say hello. I have nothing but praise for Dr John Henderson and the whole amazing team of staff and volunteers."

Meanwhile, Colin and Sheila Roberts were both booked in for their vaccinations on Sunday, and were thoroughly impressed with the process.

Colin, 84, who lives near Tiddenfoot, said: "Both myself and my wife are over 80 and we had a phone message from the doctor last week, saying would we like to go on Sunday.

"We got our local taxi driver to take us up there and we were out and back again in less than one hour.

"It was very efficient. We really just wanted to get the message across about how pleased we were yesterday with what they did. They have obviously got it well organised."

Sheila added: "I thought it was very efficient and it seemed to be working seamlessly. We were very pleased with it and I hope this will set people's minds at rest."

Colin and Sheila received support from the Leighton-Linslade Helpers during the first lockdown, with Colin not allowed to travel further than the front garden due to his asthma.

News from their son and daughter helped to keep their spirits up, and the couple have now arranged for supermarket deliveries to their home.

They are looking forward to the day when they can once again attend the U3A, and will be visiting the rugby club again in April for their second jab.

Explaining the process, Colin added: "When we got out of the taxi all the volunteers were there who said that we could go straight in. We walked through the doors of the rugby club and gave our names. We were told to sit in a little cubicle; my wife hadn't even sat down when she was called, and a minute or two later I was called to one of the other cubicles.

"You are also asked to sit down for 10 or 15 minutes afterwards to make sure there is no instant reaction. Then we went out to the taxi and came home.

"We felt a little bit tired and we both had a slight headache, but that was all. So far we feel alright, and are very pleased!"

The vaccination centre is a jointly run service by all three general practices in the town (Bassett Road Surgery, Leighton Road Surgery and Salisbury House Surgery).

Both Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines were delivered to the rugby club on January 14. The Pfizer vaccine is the first being used due to its short shelf life of around 90 hours, while the AstraZeneca vaccine can be stored for about three months.