Newbury the latest track to open its doors as mass vaccination centre

Newbury racecourse is aiming to provide 1,500 vaccinations a day after opening its doors as a regional centre in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Epsom, Beverley, Newcastle and Leicester racecourses are also active participants in the efforts to immunise members of the local population.

Harriet Collins, marcomms and sponsorship director at Newbury, said: “We launched as a vaccination centre on Thursday and are offering both vaccines on behalf of NHS West Berkshire.

“The aim is to vaccinate 1,500 each day of the most vulnerable and elderly in and around Newbury.

“I was there on Thursday and it felt really heartwarming seeing those first people receive their vaccines at the racecourse. There was an atmosphere of hope. It was emotional.”

Vaccination centre is open at Newbury racecourseCredit: Newbury Racecourse

This is not the first time during the pandemic that Newbury has played its part from a community perspective.

Collins added: “Newbury was also involved during the first lockdown as a primary care unit. Racecourses have an abundance of space and we’re proud to join the efforts of other racecourses as a vaccination centre.”

The government has said it plans to vaccinate all over-70s, healthcare workers and those required to shield – thought to be in the region of 15 million people – by mid-February.

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