New vaccination centre opens at Milton Keynes University tomorrow

The ground floor of The Open University’s Michael Young building is set to become the new premises for the Rainbow Pharmacy vaccination centre in Milton Keynes.

The site will officially open at 8am tomorrow (March 16).

Previously the pharmacy group was overseeing vaccinations at the pharmacy premises in Bletchley. The University site is much bigger meaning more people in Milton Keynes can receive protection against the virus every day.

Initial plans are for the University site to be used for vaccinations between 8am-8pm four days a week.

A spokesperson for the University claimed that the site could be opened seven days a week if needed.

Dorian Holloway, director of estates at The Open University said: "This is a great achievement with teams from the NHS, Rainbow Pharmacy and The Open University working together at short notice to set up the Vaccination centre. We are thrilled to be part of the roadmap towards beating this virus.”

The hub will have eight purpose-built vaccination pods, a large car park and disabled parking spaces directly outside the building. It will be staffed by NHS staff and local volunteers and will operate until December 2021 in line with the national rollout plan.

The Open University is not charging a fee for use of the site.