People aged 18 and over in north east London are being urged to come forward to get vaccinated against COVID-19, after thousands had their first jab at an NHS event at London Stadium last Saturday.
Organisers hailed “an outstanding collective effort” after the mass vaccination clinic at the home of West Ham United at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 19 June.
The clinic ran from 10am to 8pm and was open to anyone aged 18 and over living in Barking and Dagenham, City of London, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets or Waltham Forest, who had not received their first COVID-19 jab, with people invited to pre-book.
Karren Brady, West Ham United’s vice-chairman, said: “It was great to see so many people from our local communities getting their vaccination at London Stadium on Saturday.
“We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the local NHS trusts which will see us continue to proudly support in line with their requests, including volunteering, shirts, special experiences for staff, patients and their families, morale-boosting messages and playing key roles in awareness campaigns and appeals.
“We are doing all we can to help the national effort and getting the country back doing all the things we love. The mass events at stadiums across the capital this weekend was another example of football playing its part to keep our families and communities safe during the global pandemic. If you still need your shot, please sign up today at nhs.uk.”
Dr Jagan John, Chair of NHS North East London Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It was a fantastic turnout and our teams did an amazing job – to deliver so many vaccine doses on the day was an outstanding collective effort and is testament to the tireless hard work of our staff and volunteers.
“I’m immensely grateful to everyone involved in making this event such a success, including our local partners whose support has been invaluable, and the management and staff at London Stadium who gave up their time and facilities to help the NHS.
“Every vaccination delivered represents another positive step forward in protecting our communities, saving thousands of lives and giving the entire country hope for a brighter future.
“We are now delivering a final push to vaccinate everyone aged 18 and over so please come forward to make your first appointment or to get your second dose.”
Saturday’s event formed part of the work being done by the NHS and its partners to encourage people to come forward for one of the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines, increase vaccination uptake within all communities in north east London and ensure that no one is left behind. Vaccinations were led by a clinical team from East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT).
Dr Paul Gilluley, Chief Medical Officer at ELFT said: “It was a great day for east London, with many thousands of young people from across our boroughs getting their first vaccine but the journey isn’t over yet. Variants of the COVID-19 virus are still spreading. I strongly urge anyone who hasn’t get booked a vaccine to go online and do it without delay.”
Further vaccination clinics are being in north east London this weekend, including:
- A ‘Big Pfizer Saturday’ event on Saturday at the Sir Lugwig Guttman Health Centre at 40 Liberty Bridge Road, Stratford E20 1AS. It runs from 8.20am to 7.40pm. Full booking details are available at https://www.newham.gov.uk/bookyourvaccine
- A walk-in clinic at Broadway Theatre, Barking on Sunday from 10am to 4pm. It is open to anyone aged 18-plus for first or second Pfizer jabs, and second AstraZeneca jabs. No proof of address, immigration status, or NHS number is required – just proof of age (driving licence/passport).
- A vaccination clinic for the local Bangladeshi community in Hackney from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday at Morningside Community Centre, Cresset Road E9 6SJ. It is open to anyone aged 18-plus living in Hackney or the City of London. Translators will be on hand. You can pre-book by calling 07519 715039 or turn up on the day.
- In Tower Hamlets, vaccination clinics are being held from Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm at The Art Pavilion in Clinton Road, Mile End, London E3 4QY. Everyone aged 18-plus is welcome, with or without documentation, including migrants and those who are homeless.
COVID-19 vaccinations are available at more than 50 sites across north east London, including local pharmacies, and appointments can be booked via the National Booking Site. For more information, visit: https://www.eastlondonhcp.nhs.uk/ourplans/covid-19-vaccination-programme.htm