Staff at a newly-opened Covid vaccination centre have been told it will shut at the end of August.

Employees on the Lascelles Ward at Kelling Hospital, near Holt, were told on Friday (August 12) the site would be closing.

Eastern Daily Press: Dereham Hospital, where Covid jabs were being administered until the end of JulyDereham Hospital, where Covid jabs were being administered until the end of July (Image: Archant)

It had only opened on August 5 as a replacement for the service at Dereham Hospital.

Several workers moved to the Kelling centre - run by Cambridgeshire Community Services (CCS) NHS Trust - after administering thousands of injections from Dereham.

But soon, vaccines in north Norfolk will be given out solely at GP surgeries, with Aylsham Pharmacy to be added in the coming weeks.

They will deliver the autumn booster programme to eligible, registered patients.

Eastern Daily Press: Covid booster vaccines are set to be offered this autumnCovid booster vaccines are set to be offered this autumn (Image: Archant 2021)

Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System (ICS), the organisation in charge of the rollout, said there was "more than sufficient capacity" to vaccinate people in north Norfolk without a larger site.

But one staff member, who moved from Dereham to Kelling Hospital, criticised the sudden nature of the changes.

The mid-Norfolk woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "We started getting set up on August 2 and, three days later, we opened.

Eastern Daily Press: Covid vaccines will no longer be administered at Kelling Hospital, near HoltCovid vaccines will no longer be administered at Kelling Hospital, near Holt (Image: Archant)

"It wasn't until senior management walked in on Friday (August 12) that we knew anything about the closure.

"Those of us who weren't in on Friday had to read the news via email."

She also questioned how sensible the decision was ahead of the booster programme.

"Until last week, we thought we would be doing the autumn boosters," she added.

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk and Waveney's large-scale Covid vaccination centres are to closeNorfolk and Waveney's large-scale Covid vaccination centres are to close (Image: Archant 2021)

"All we heard last year was that GPs couldn't cope. They are going to be so busy come September.

"The other problem is that a lot of people are not registered with a GP."

Explaining the change, a spokesman for Norfolk and Waveney ICS said: "We have worked hard to provide a service which is equitable and easy for local people to access.

"However, following a review of provision in north Norfolk, we have made the difficult decision to close the Kelling centre.

Eastern Daily Press: Until July, Covid jabs were being administered on the Beetley Ward at Dereham HospitalUntil July, Covid jabs were being administered on the Beetley Ward at Dereham Hospital (Image: Archant)

"Our latest modelling confirms there is more than sufficient capacity to deliver vaccinations effectively in this area without a large-scale site.

"We would like to thank the staff and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to protect local communities."

The spokesman confirmed staff would receive support in seeking alternative employment.