Mass vaccination hub moves to Reading town centre
After more than 166,000 jabs the centre is closing its site at Reading Football Club
Last updated 29th Jul 2021
Reading's covid mass vaccination hub is moving to Broad Street Mall in the town centre on Friday amid low uptake among young people in the town.
The mass vaccination centre is moving from Reading Football Club in south Reading.
Covid-19 vaccinations will be administered from an empty shop unit.
Less than 60 per cent of people under 35 in Reading have received a first Covid-19 vaccine, with just 54 per cent in the 18-24 age group getting their first dose despite the vaccine now being available to all over-18s.
In comparison, more than 90 per cent of people aged 70+ have received one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while more than 87 per cent have received two doses in this age group.
The move to Broad Street Mall has been organised by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust in anticipation of a return to larger match attendances at the home of Reading FC.
Oxford Health Covid Operations Director Tehmeena Ajmal said:
“We would like to thank Reading Football Club for enabling us to host one of our three large scale vaccination centres at the Madejski and help us drive up vaccination coverage in the Berkshire West area, as part of the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history.
“The Madejski vaccination centre has been a huge success. Countless lives have been saved and I am very proud of everyone in the Oxford Health family and our partners in the health, local authority and third sector who have played a part in the roll out of vaccinations.
“Their commitment and dedication have been unwavering. We will continue to offer our vaccination service until we can help everyone who wants to give themselves and their loved ones the best protection possible against Covid.”
Vaccinations did not take place at the stadium on match days, limiting appointment availability, while the new Broad Street Mall venue will have appointments seven days a week, from 8.30am to 7.30pm.
More than 166,000 first and second doses have been given at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Royals fan Michael Hinton, 69, was the first person to receive a vaccination there on February 22.