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NHS staff were among the first to receive coronavirus vaccinations at Kent Cricket’s The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, in Canterbury.
Hundreds have signed up to be vaccinated at the ground, next to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.
It opened today for health and social care staff only, and the first person through the door was Sophie Hammond, office manager in the hospital's renal department.
She said: “I wanted to be vaccinated to protect myself, our patients and my colleagues.
“It was so quick, I didn’t even feel it. I’m a little surprised to be the first but pleased to have the opportunity to get my jab here.”
Marilyn Read, a healthcare assistant on Kent Ward, also felt nothing when her vaccine went in.
She said: “My mum is 94 and she has had her first vaccine, and I’m glad I’ve had mine now because it will help me stay well for her.
“It’s also about protecting our patients and making sure we can keep looking after them.”
Marie Gladdish, assistant administrator in the Children’s Assessment Centre at the K&C, said the site couldn’t be more convenient.
She said: “It was a two-minute walk.
“The more people who get their vaccination, the quicker we will all come out of this so I’m glad to be able to play my part.”
Darren Base, a physiotherapist, wanted his jab to protect himself and his patients.
He said: “We are still seeing people face-to-face if that’s what they need so being vaccinated will help me stay safe and well.”
Rachael Williams, a healthcare assistant who works at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, travelled to Canterbury for her vaccination.
She said: “Just like everyone else, I’m here because it’s the right thing to do.”
Nicky Bentley, director of strategy and business development, was a marshal at the cricket ground.
She said: “Everyone is grateful for the opportunity to have their vaccination, and to protect themselves, their colleagues and our patients.
“It has all been really efficient.”
The ground was offered as a venue by Kent Cricket, and CEO Simon Storey said: “Kent Cricket has a part to play in many aspects of life in the county and it is good that we can use our facilities to help the huge public health effort to protect as many in our community as we can, as quickly as possible.”
The Trust’s pharmacy team oversaw the vaccination process, together with colleagues from occupational health and volunteers from across the hospitals who had offered to act as vaccinators.
Others helped by marshalling people and cars, or by making sure chairs and other areas were sanitised between people using them
Refreshments were provided by East Kent Hospitals Charity.
Vaccinations for members of the public continue in line with the priorities set out by the Government, and people will be contacted by the NHS when it is their turn to receive their jab.
