Covid vaccinations to be offered to fans at Newcastle United matches
Newcastle GP Services are to offer Covid vaccinations to Newcastle United fans at their next two home matches; against Norwich City on 7 August and West Ham on 15 August. Vaccinations will be available between 11am and 4.30pm each day, from a special vaccine bus at St. James’ Park.
This follows on from NGPS’ recent visit to the club training ground in Benton to vaccinate several first team players including Isaac Hayden, Joelinton, Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez.
The pop-up event is just one of many happening in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, with four specially converted ‘vaccine buses’ touring the city throughout the week, along with pop-up community services and walk-in appointments at larger vaccine centres.
Vaccines are available across the city with an updated list available at www.newcastle.gov.uk/covidvaccine. The vaccine bus enables people to receive their vaccines close to their homes, offering a mix of drop-in sessions and invite only appointments.
The invitations for these appointments are sent as SMS text messages by local GPs or Newcastle City Council, while drop-in sessions are first come, first served.
There is also an opportunity for anyone who is vaccinated at the match on 7 August, or who has previously been vaccinated in Newcastle, to win a signed NUFC shirt. To be in with a chance to win, people just need to attend the match on 7 August to get their vaccine or come along to the vaccine bus with their proof of vaccination card. Those vaccinated will be entered into the draw for the shirt, with the winner announced at 4.30pm that day.
Emily Fisher, the Vaccine Operational Lead for the GP-led vaccination sites in Newcastle, said: "It’s fantastic that we can continue our partnership with Newcastle United, not only vaccinating the players, but also their fans. It’s a great opportunity to get vaccinated without having to think about where you need to go, or whether you need to make an appointment – you simply need to turn up, get jabbed, and off you go. Hopefully to watch the team win!”
Paul Catterson, club doctor at Newcastle United, said: “It’s a great opportunity for players and staff at the club to support the local NHS services in this incredibly important push to get everyone vaccinated.
“Newcastle GP Services have been very supportive of the club’s attempt to vaccinate as many people as possible. We wholeheartedly encourage supporters and our local community to do the same as many of the players and get their jabs.”
In addition to the vaccine buses, Newcastle City Council also has a dedicated Welfare and Wellbeing Team who are supporting residents to get their vaccines by organising transport to clinics or advice for people who may be hesitant to get a jab.
Information on how to contact the Welfare and Wellbeing Team can be found on Newcastle’s dedicated vaccine webpage – www.newcastle.gov.uk/covidvaccine.