CHESTER Racecourse is to be administering life-saving coronavirus vaccines from next week, it has been confirmed.

Earlier this week it was announced the large-scale venue, normally home to some of the most prestigious horse racing fixtures in the UK, would become the latest mass Covid vaccination site.

Now the NHS Cheshire CCG has said the Racecourse site is currently on course to start vaccinating from Monday, February 15.

The new hub adds to the number of existing places where people aged 70 and above have been getting the jab around the area, including GP centres, the Countess of Chester Hospital and Boots in Foregate Street.

The new centre offers an additional option for people to get vaccinated – if it is convenient for them. If not, people can instead wait to be vaccinated at their local GP-led vaccination centre.

People aged 70 and above who haven’t had their Covid-19 vaccination can book an appointment now via www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, where they can choose a time slot and location that suits them.

People who are eligible, but without online access, can call 119 to book a jab free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. People are also able to book appointments on behalf of people they care for if they are unable to do it themselves.

All vaccination centres are staffed by clinicians, trained vaccinators, administrative staff and a range of volunteers who help make a visit run as smoothly and safely as possible.

Dr Anushta Sivananthan, medical director for Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), which is operating the Racecourse vaccination centre, said: “NHS staff, other public sector colleagues and volunteers are doing an incredible job to deliver what is the largest vaccination programme in our history.

"CWP are proud to play our part at the Chester Racecourse vaccination site, supporting the existing centres with the top four priority groups and also, as vaccine eligibility is widened, beyond those groups in the coming weeks.”

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Louise Gittins, said: “This is fantastic news and a positive move forward. Let’s all play our part in this process and get vaccinated when invited. This past year has been a huge struggle for many people, and we can all help to turn this around by getting vaccinated and playing our part in the fight against the virus.”

Chief executive of Chester Race Company Richard Thomas said: “We are very pleased to be able to support the NHS with their essential vaccination programme. We plan to offer our facilities for seven days a week, apart from race days, and our staff are proud to have the opportunity to support as volunteers.”

As part of its site planning and approval process, Chester Racecourse offered full use of their facilities to the NHS on non-race days. The first scheduled race days are in May 2021.