A CHURCH has been adapted for use by a pharmacy so that it can start vaccinating 2,000 people a week from Covid-19.

St Peter’s Church, Boyatt Wood, Eastleigh, is said to be playing a key role in the Hampshire vaccination effort after being adapted for use by Boyatt Pharmacy as a temporary vaccination centre.

Although the pharmacy wanted to ensure that local pharmacies are part of the national roll-out, it lacked the space required to safely administer vaccinations while maintaining social distancing.

St Peter’s Church subsequently agreed to allow the pharmacy temporary use of their space, which has been largely vacant due to social restrictions and services being held online

Boyatt Pharmacy is now expecting to vaccinate 2,000 people a week for six months, with the first vaccinations taking place on January 28.

Mitesh Patel, Boyatt Pharmacy owner said: "Having this space means we can vaccinate a lot more patients in Hampshire.

"It’s amazing that the church has come together with a community service like Pharmacy.”

To ensure the building was fit for purpose, fridges, burglar alarms, new computers, and social distancing measures have been installed.

The church floor has also been covered with a special film which can be easily cleaned, and plastic chairs have been brought in for the newly created waiting room.

Stephen Collyer, Churchwarden St Peter’s Church, Boyatt Wood said: "The vaccination centre is all about keeping people safe and saving lives, and it is a privilege and honour to be invited to help with this."

The Right Reverend, Dr Tim Dakin, Bishop of Winchester said: “St Peter’s Church is one of many churches across the diocese which have been central to helping our communities during the pandemic, remaining steadfast in their faith throughout this difficult time.

"I am pleased to see the team take a role in the vaccination efforts, which we pray will mark the beginning of the end of this pandemic.”

Volunteers are still needed to enable the new vaccination centre to operate at full capacity and immunise as many members of the community as possible.