Glasgow's Hydro to close as vaccine hub

The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, which has served as a Covid-19 mass vaccination hub, will host its final day of vaccinsations on Sunday.

The venue is scheduled to be handed back this summer as it will be utilised as part of the UN’s COP26 Climate Change Conference later in November.

This also coincides with NHSGGC moving fully on to the next stage of the vaccination programme, which will focus more on mobile facilities and drop-ins at community settings, alongside planned second dose appointments.

Following the closure of the Hydro, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde will have 17 community clicnics and will continue to work in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service to deliver mobile vaccinations using the vaccination bus.

Vaccine rollout success

Almost 3,000 vaccinators have worked across the vaccination programme at the Hydro and more than 800 support staff and hundreds more council workers and volunteers have also been involved in what has been the largest mass vaccination programme undertaken.

NHSGGC has administered approximately 1.4million vaccinations, with over 555,000 people now double dosed.

NHSGGC’s Chief Executive, Jane Grant said; “The SSE Hydro and NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital have both played a really significant role in enabling NHSGGC to deliver our vaccination programme.

"I want to personally thank all staff who have been working so tirelessly at the SEC campus, from our vaccinators, support and logistics staff, admin teams, site security and everyone who has helped behind the scenes to enable so many people to receive their vaccination.

"Likewise to the members of the public who have come forward and rolled up their sleeves already, thank you for doing so.

The next phase

“Our vaccination rollout has been a great success so far and as we now move into the next stage of the programme and look ahead to potential COVID-19 vaccine booster requirements, it is important we can continue to provide an accessible and flexible service to members of the public.

"This is why our focus is now very much on community drop-ins and the use of mobile vaccination facilities which allow us to continue to connect with communities as well as make provision for people who may not be able to attend a scheduled appointment due to work or family commitments.

“It is so important that everyone who is eligible has the opportunity to be vaccinated and I would encourage anyone who may not have come forward yet, but would now like to, to drop-in to the Hydro on Sunday. We look forward to welcoming anyone aged 18 years old and over for their first dose as well as people who had their first vaccination at least eight weeks ago and would like their second. Our staff will look forward to seeing you and supporting you to be vaccinated.”

Health Secretary pays tribute to staff

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf MSP said; “By close of play on Sunday every adult in the NHSGGC area who attended their scheduled appointment will have received their first dose but we urge anyone who hasn’t come forward for whatever reason to pop into the Hydro as staff mark its final day as a vaccination centre.

“Staff there have made a massive contribution to the successful roll-out of the vaccination programme, carrying out up to 5,000 vaccinations a day, and I want thank each and every one of them.

“It is now time for the site to be handed over in preparation for COP26 as was always the intention. The transition from the Hydro will be seamless with no negative impact on vaccination capacity and appointments have been allocated to alternative clinics, although of course, people can always head along to one of the many drop-in clinics now operating in the area if they prefer.

“As ever I continue to urge everyone to take up their offer of a vaccine, be it first or second dose. It is the best route out of this pandemic and the best way to protect yourself, your family and friends and your community.”

hellorayo.co.uk/clyde/play/