ANOTHER COVID vaccination clinic is set to take place at Bridport Medical Centre this Friday, to vaccinate extremely vulnerable residents.

Residents have once again been urged to avoid the area where possible to prevent any traffic build up and to keep the roads clear for those attending the clinic.

Once patients in the clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) cohort are booked in, the centre will begin to invite residents in the 70-75 years category.

Patients who have received notification that they are in the CEV cohort are encouraged to call the surgery to book an appointment, whilst those in the 70-75 years cohort should wait to receive an invitation before booking.

Those attending Friday's clinic have been asked to arrive no earlier than five minutes before their scheduled appointment time.

A spokesman for Bridport Medical Centre said: "As before, high volume sessions pose a huge logistical challenge both within the medical centre, but also with car parking at the centre and traffic in surrounding roads. People attending are advised to please plan ahead.

"We appreciate attending the medical centre may be more challenging for those who are CEV but we ask that they consider being dropped off at the surgery with their driver then able to make use of the allocated parking to wait, prior to collection.

"For those dropping off and picking up patients, the estimated time for collection will be around 30 minutes from drop off time.

"The vaccinating teams and marshals will do everything they can to minimise wait times, but queues do sometimes spill outside; some rain is forecast and patients are asked to wear suitable clothing and footwear to prepare against cold and wet weather."

Parking onsite on the day will be strictly limited to those with severe mobility issues who would not otherwise be able to get to the centre. Those attending should use the car parks in and around the town centre and walk to the medical centre when possible.

The centre has also warned of a scam email which is currently active in the area with a supposed link to book a vaccination appointment. Management staff stated that whilst they are planning to send some invites via text messages, to be aware that they would never ask for payment details under any circumstances.

More than 1,700 residents received their first coronavirus vaccinations at the centre's last major clinic on Saturday.