The Dorset HealthCare-run service at the BIC has now successfully vaccinated around 90,000 people since opening in January.

And after the success of a clinic aimed at ethnic minority residents earlier this year, the team invited Gurkhas from Blandford Camp military base and Kuwaiti pilots training at Bournemouth International Airport to get their vaccinations.

Vaccinations will continue at other sites across Dorset while the service at the BIC is temporarily closed. The final day before closing was an emotional yet happy moment for staff and Community Action Network volunteers who have worked so hard to ensure the local community are better protected from the virus.

Dorset HealthCare’s Covid-19 Vaccination Programme senior manager, Belinda Andrews-Jones, said: “Our last day before the temporary closure was fantastic. We successfully vaccinated a great number of people.

“We have continued to work closely with ambassadors from different communities to encourage uptake, running dedicated clinics for specific ethnic minority communities. We were delighted to be able to invite and vaccinate an extra 150 people on our last shift.”

The vaccination service at the BIC will resume on 19 July. Local people can continue to book their vaccinations at alternative sites on the NHS national booking service website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/

Those aged 18-39 can also go along to a pop-up clinic in Bournemouth this Saturday 3 July, from 11am-3pm at St Luke’s Church, Winton.

Belinda said: “Although there’s a gap in giving vaccinations at the BIC, this will not delay Covid-19 vaccinations in Dorset, as it gives us the opportunity to hold more outreach clinics where we can vaccinate people in their local community.

“A big thank-you to all staff and volunteers to date that have been part of the large scale vaccination site. We look forward to welcoming you back in July.”