More than 7,000 Covid vaccinations have been given to Dorchester residents at the Pharmacy2U centre in the town.

Since setting up in the former Argos store on the corner of High West Street and Trinity Street in May, the team have averaged around 260 vaccines a day, five days a week.

More than 100,000 vaccines have been given by pharmacies across Dorset.

Emma Heywood, who works at the centre, said: "We're here to take the pressure off the NHS, so we will be helping with vaccinations primarily but when everybody is vaccinated, I imagine there will be boosters and other vaccination shots.

"People have been pretty happy to be vaccinated. We're seeing people in their 20s and we've started to get people aged 18 coming down, which is really good to see.

"There's still quite a demand, but the majority of people have been vaccinated. We feel like we're on the other end of it now… which is a nice feeling."

There is usually a minimum of three medical professionals - nurses and pharmacists - administering the vaccines there and it is currently open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. The team is giving the Pfizer vaccine.

Emma Dodson, who also works at the centre, said: "We've got the second vaccines booked in our calendar and they are coming up in August and September. That will be very busy and open on weekends as well."

Residents can book for a vaccine at the Pharmacy2U centre through the NHS website or by calling 119. No bookings can be made at the centre.

Emma Heywood added: "Our system is joined to the NHS one. They come in and check in with their name, NHS number, date of birth and usually there is hardly any waiting time for them to go through to their vaccine. Normally, when they are done giving their details, there will be a vaccinator ready for them.

"It's been really smooth. The appointment time is around 20 minutes - five minutes giving your details and the vaccination and 15 minutes observation time."

They also want to reassure anyone who may be nervous or apprehensive.

Emma Dodson added: "Anyone with phobias of needles or prone to fainting, we have pharmacists who can talk to them and we have an area at the back where people can go if they are anxious. We're happy to accommodate."

Emma Heywood said: "If anyone has any sort of worries or is feeling apprehensive, just come down and talk to us, we're here to reassure you.

"Some people feel a bit light headed after but everybody is specially trained on how to deal with it.

"When everybody leaves, they leave with a positive experience, which is good.

"So far it has been incredibly successful and smooth, we haven't had any issues. From opening…we've had a good turn-out - fully booked every day - which is always nice to see."

For more information, visit pharmacy2u.co.uk

Don't forget to sign up to our newsletter below!

You can submit your own news straight to Dorchester Nub News by using the 'Nub It' button on our home page. This can also be done for events on our What's On page and businesses, groups and organisations on our Local Listings page , also by using the 'Nub It' button.

Please like and follow our online newspaper on your favourite social media channel. You can find us @DorchesterNubNews on Facebook and @DorchesterNub Twitter.