Heathfield targeted for vaccine walk-ins this weekend
Following a successful pop-up walk-in clinic in Richmond Town Centre over the weekend, where 500 local people took the vaccine, this coming weekend residents in Heathfield are being invited to have their jab on Saturday.
As the nation gears up for the removal of Covid restrictions later this month, it is more important than ever that people get both doses of their vaccine, to protect themselves and those around them. In Heathfield, we know that around 37% of residents aged 18-39 have not yet had their first jab.
The clinic will be at Heathfield Junior School (Cobbett Road, Heathfield, TW2 6EN) from 10am – 6pm on Saturday 17 July.
No appointments will be needed and both Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines will be available. The walk-in clinic will allow people to attend at a time that is convenient for them and means groups of friends can attend together to have their first doses.
It is also an opportunity for people who missed their second dose of the vaccine or haven’t got round to booking it, to ensure they are fully vaccinated. However, please remember that second doses are ONLY given to those who received their first dose 8 weeks’ ago or more (no later than 29 May).
This is the latest walk-in clinic available in Richmond upon Thames, with others planned in the weeks ahead around the borough.
Richmond GP, Dr Patrick Gibson said:
“The NHS and Richmond Council have worked together closely to organise this local walk-in clinic for Richmond residents to make getting the vaccination as convenient and easy as possible.
“If you’re planning to be in Heathfield on Saturday, or live near-by, and haven’t yet had your vaccine, please come along and see us.
“If you missed your second dose of the vaccine or didn’t get round to booking it, you are also welcome to attend – but please make sure you had your first jab eight weeks ago or more. Otherwise you will be turned away and asked to return to a future clinic.”
Cllr Piers Allen, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Services Committee and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board at Richmond Council, said:
“We are working hard to make it as accessible as possible for local people to have their vaccine. And these targeted events will help, particularly in those areas where take up is a lot less than elsewhere in the borough.
“Our COVID case numbers are rocketing – with more than 400 people currently testing positive for the virus every week. With the pending changes to the restrictions, we need as many people as possible to have the jab”
A recent study by Public Health England found that having both doses of the vaccine significantly increased protection against the more transmissible Delta and Beta variants.
People who have had both vaccinations can demonstrate their vaccination status two weeks after their second dose through the NHS COVID Pass. This can be used for travelling abroad to some countries and at a series of event trials in England.
For more information, go to: https://swlondonccg.nhs.uk/
