Patients were relieved after receiving their first Covid-19 vaccinations at the newly-opened vaccination hub in Kendal.
The first doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine began being administered at the Westmorland Shopping Centre at 1pm on Monday, with the over-70s and those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable being the first to attend the hub.
The first patient to receive their vaccine was Peter Liddle from Lindale.
The 74-year-old said it was a 'big relief' to get the vaccine and that he was 'very pleased.'
Jennifer McIntyre, 72, from Oxenholme, was also among the first to be vaccinated.
Mrs McIntyre’s husband sadly passed away from Covid-19 in April last year and she said she felt 'very grateful' to be vaccinated.
The centre had been in the works for about a month before opening and will now be operating 12 hours a day, seven days a week, according to Dee Houghton, deputy chief operating officer community at University Hospital of Morecambe Bay.
Dr Ed Clarke, director of Kendal Primary Care Network, said it felt brilliant to finally open.
“I’m really excited about the location because of the public transport links, the easy car parking and it will be easier to get to for patients,”he said.
Staff from Kendal’s three GP surgeries will be administering the vaccines, as well as trained volunteers and retired health professionals who have offered their services.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service team members and military staff will also be helping on the site.
Senior responsible officer Dr Sarah Hauxwell, who has overall accountability for the delivery of the vaccination programme in the area’s hospitals and vaccination sites, confirmed that there had been no issues with securing the necessary vaccine deliveries to the site and said she was confident that none would go to waste.
MP Tim Farron attended the opening and commended everyone who had been involved in bringing the centre to fruition.
He said: “This is amazing, this should give people hope.
"The organisation has been amazing, and the GPs have got stuck in and they're still doing all the rest of their work alongside.”
The centre is expected to be up and running until May, although that could be extended.
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