ALTON will at last get its own Covid-19 vaccination site next week, as the biggest vaccine programme in health service history continues to gather pace.

The new centre will be located in the Boots Pharmacy on Alton High Street, and will start operating for the first time towards the end of next week (not earlier than March 20).

There will be capacity for approximately 400 vaccinations each week, although that number could increase significantly if required.

The new site is part of the national booking service, and so will be available to eligible people (currently those aged 55 and above) who receive a letter or text message inviting them to book a jab online at a time and location which is convenient for them.

Anyone who cannot go online can call 119 instead, free of charge.

This is not a walk-in service. Only people with a booking can attend, and slots will not become available until the second half of next week – probably from about March 18.

It follows a clamour for a local vaccine service in Alton, with most townsfolk until now directed on a 32-mile round-trip to the Hampshire Court Hotel in Chineham, near Basingstoke, for their jabs.

More to follow in next week’s Herald – on sale March 18...