Free Jab Cab service now available to help more people access a COVID-19 vaccination

The Norfolk and Waveney health and care system are funding the free Jab Cab service through to 28 February 2022, in a bid to help people that may be struggling to get to their COVID-19 vaccination and encourage as many people to come forward to get their vaccine as possible.

The service is eligible for anyone having their first, second or booster vaccine. In order to claim a free journey, simply book your COVID-19 jab online or check which walk-in centre you’d like to visit, then call a participating local taxi company and book your journey. A full list of participating taxi companies is available here.

The new service comes as large-scale vaccination centre clinics, led by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, will be offering local walk-in clinics at all sites across Norfolk and Waveney to all 12–15-year-olds, and everyone eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination, starting from Monday 24 January.

These include:

·         Norwich City Hall, St Peters St, Norwich, NR2 1NH

·         Paddock Road Surgery, Paddock Road, Harleston IP20 9AT

·         Connaught Hall, Station Rd, Attleborough NR17 2AS

·         Shakespeare Barn, King’s Lynn Arts Centre, King Street, Kings Lynn PE30 1HA

·         Beetley Ward, Dereham Hospital, Northgate, Dereham NR19 2EX (open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only)

This means even more young people will be able to grab a cab to their vaccine appointment at a walk-in centre at a time that is convenient for them, with no appointment needed.

Health leaders in Norfolk and Waveney are urging anyone 16+ to come forward for their COVID-19 booster vaccination and reminding those due a first or second dose that it is never too late to get vaccinated.

Howard Martin, Director of Population Health Management and Health Inequalities at NHS Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “This last week the health care system really pulled together to put on lots of additional clinics during evenings and weekends to give people the convenience of just walking in for their jab during our Jab-a-Thon. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the vaccinators, support staff and volunteers for working flexibly to make this possible, and to the thousands of people that took up the opportunity to get their lifesaving jab.

“We are all ready to get our lives and routines back to normal, and the safest and most effective way to do this is for everyone eligible to get their COVID-19 booster as soon as possible.

“The new Jab Cab service is another fantastic example of how the Norfolk and Waveney health care system is pulling out all the stops to make it as easy as possible for everyone to get their COVID-19 vaccine.

“I encourage everyone who may have put off getting their vaccine because it wasn’t easy or convenient to get to a vaccination site to use this free service to get their COVID-19 booster over the coming weeks. Every one boosted gains maximum protection which can reduce hospitalisation from Omicron by as much as 80%.”

Walk-in clinics are advertised on the Norfolk and Waveney walk-in site, which can be found at https://apps.norfolk.gov.uk/WalkIn/, or you can book an appointment via the National Booking Service or by calling 119.

Both websites are updated throughout the day so please keep checking back for more appointments and additional walk-in locations.

All walk-in sites offer first and second doses as well as boosters, so it’s never too late to get started.

Latest published data for Norfolk and Waveney shows that, as of Sunday 16 January 2022:

·         94% of people over the age of 18 in Norfolk and Waveney had received their first dose, compared to 92% of adults in England

·         91% of people over the age of 18 in Norfolk and Waveney had also received their second dose, compared to 88% of adults in England

·         63%, or 28,108 12-15s have been vaccinated (with one dose), compared to 56% nationally

·         82%, or 16,651 16–17-year-olds had received one dose, compared to 73% nationally

·         86% or 644,781 people over the age of 18 who are eligible have now had their COVID-19 booster vaccination, compared with 82% for the East of England region.

A reminder of those who are eligible and should now come forward:

·         12-15 year olds can now get their second vaccination after three months from their first dose via booked appointment, some walk ins or at school

·         Anyone aged 16+ who had their second dose more than 12 weeks ago can get a booster by booking an appointment or going to and advertised walk in clinic

·         Immunocompromised patients are now eligible for a fourth vaccine dose at three months after their third dose and will be contacted by their GP practice or can book an appointment or walk in if they are already at 12 weeks

·         Health and care workers and pregnant women can walk in without an appointment at any vaccination site for a first, second or booster dose. Please make yourself know to staff on site and you will be ‘fast tracked’.