Betty at the ready as new vaccination bus rolls into borough

People across Telford and Wrekin will now be able to get first, second and booster doses of the Covid vaccination on their doorstep as Betty the vaccination bus rolls into the borough.

Betty at the ready as new vaccination bus rolls into borough

The new mobile vaccination bus is part of the council’s response to get over 50,000 eligible people across the borough vaccinated or boosted by the end of the year. 


The push comes as the borough races to beat the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. 

Since the start of the booster programme just over a week ago, over 18,000 people have already come forward for their booster and the number is climbing every day. 1,700 people have also come forward for their first and second doses.


Betty’s first mission was at Brookside Community Centre on Saturday 18 December and she is visiting communities across the borough into the New Year.


Leader of the Council, Shaun Davies said: “Seeing Betty out on the road is just brilliant. It’s been a real team effort working with partners across the public sector to get her up and running and as a council we’ve redeployed a team of staff to make sure she can operate each day.”

The vaccination bus will be visiting communities across Telford and Wrekin with some of the lowest vaccination take up. She will be in a different location each day, with local promotion of her visit on social media and council staff calling, texting or knocking on doors to encourage people to drop by.

Councillor Davies continued: “Not everyone can travel to one of the usual walk-in clinics. By bringing vaccinations to people’s doorsteps we’re making it as easy as possible to get protected. Over 250 people have already got their jab on the bus. You don’t need to book an appointment, so if you see the bus, come and see us. It’s not too late to get your first or second dose.”


One of the latest people getting their booster at the bus today (22 December) at Leegomery Centre, was Daniel, a local resident.

Daniel said:” I’ve got family in the area, lots of people I try to protect and keep safe over the coming months, in particular during Christmas when we are all getting together.

“I think it’s my duty to do my bit and make sure my family is safe and protected as best as I can.

“I’ve looked online for vaccination clinics, there’s a range of them across the borough. 

“But to have Betty the Bus just down the road from me, it was ideal. If I can’t go down my local street to get my booster, then when I am going to do it?  So, I just popped down to get my vaccination. 

“I think that if we all do our bit and get fully vaccinated, we will beat this virus.”


The Telford International Centre has also reopened as a vaccination centre for boosters. It is open 8am-6pm every day other than Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and has the capacity to give up to 3,000 boosters every day. People who are eligible for their booster jab can just walk-in without an appointment, or book in advance using the national booking system.

Details of other walk-in clinics across Telford and Wrekin can be found at www.telford.gov.uk/walkin 


Pictured: Council Leader Shaun Davies with the vaccination team from Betty the bus, at Leegomery Centre today (22 December)




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