People in the Lichfield area will soon start going to their local cathedral to get a Covid-19 jab.  Starting on 15th January, Lichfield Cathedral will be hosting a vaccine clinic. 

As soon as the Phizer vaccine was approved last summer, the Dean of Lichfield, Very Rev Adrian Dorber, wrote to local medical practices to offer the cathedral as space for vaccinations. 

He said in a statement: "The roll out of these new vaccines to immunise us against Covid-19 as the best news of 2020. We want to offer this cathedral nave as a big space that can safely and securely house local vaccination programmes and enable speedy delivery to those most at risk."
 
The cathedral now has a partnership with Lichfield Primary Care Network, who have been providing seasonal flu vaccine clinics off site in community spaces for many years.

A spokesperson from the network said: "The Lichfield Primary Care Network, comprising of The Langton Medical Group and The Westgate Practice, is extremely pleased to accept the generous offer of the Dean, to use Lichfield Cathedral for patient vaccinations against COVID-19.
 
"It seems very apt to use the Cathedral because it is such a central focus of community life in Lichfield and we are delighted to be offering this service to our shared community."
 
Lichfield Cathedral said it's is an ideal space for holding such a clinic because it has plenty of space for patients to queue inside the building safely, areas for multiple, socially distanced immunising stations, a secure area for storing the vaccine, ample room for patients to sit for their observed 15 minute wait, and a one way flow around the building from entrance to exit. The cathedral is also easily accessible with step-free access, accessible parking and is central and easily signposted for patients to get to.
 
The clinic will be set up by the team at Lichfield Primary Care Network two days before people start coming in for their jab.  The cathedral's volunteers will also be available to be a welcoming face and help direct patients as they await their vaccine.
 
The Dean continued: "Lichfield Cathedral has a long history, dating back to its mediaeval beginnings, of being a space of welcome and healing for the community. We pray every day for our nation and community, especially for healing the sick and protecting the vulnerable. It's only right we offer the Cathedral as a practical means for those prayers to be answered."