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Boris Johnson visits Bristol’s ‘super-vaccination centre’
The prime minister warned people against complacency, saying the UK is in “a race against time” as the mass Covid-19 vaccination programme gets underway.
Boris Johnson’s trip to Ashton Gate on Monday fell on the day the stadium opened its doors for the first people to receive their jabs in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
He said the country is facing a “perilous moment”, saying that the UK has “a really tough fight on our hands”.
is needed now More than ever
It comes amid speculation that lockdown restrictions will be further tightened after England’s chief medical officer professor Chris Whitty warned the next few weeks will be the worst of the pandemic for the NHS.
Justifying his trip from London to Bristol, Johnson told the Bristol Post: “It is essential that I explain to the public what we are doing to roll out the mass vaccination centres.”
Boris Johnson speaks to patients about to receive their jabs in the south concourse of Ashton Gate Stadium – photo: PA
Last week it was revealed that Ashton Gate will operate as one of seven ‘super-vaccination’ centres in the country, alongside smaller sites and GP surgeries.
Welcoming the opening of the stadium as a vaccination hub, Dr Tim Whittlestone, the clinical lead for the NHS vaccination programme in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, said: “Once fully operational, staff at the facility will be able to vaccinate thousands of people each day, building on the outstanding work our local GP services and hospitals have been doing over recent weeks to ensure our most vulnerable people receive the vaccine.
“Although the introduction of the centre is a welcome boost in the face of rising Covid-19 cases, our hospitals and staff are facing significant pressures and we must each take a personal responsibility to help stop the spread of this deadly virus. Please continue to follow national lockdown guidance, and remember hands, face, space when you do leave home.”
Monday was the opening day of Bristol’s mass vaccination centre at the home of Bristol City and Bristol Bears – photo: PA
Christina Gray, director of public health for Bristol, called the opening of Ashton Gate as a ‘super-vaccination’ centre a “very positive step in the fight against Covid-19”.
Echoing the Prime Minister’s warning, she added: “However, now is not the time to become complacent. The new strain of the virus is much more infectious and we must act now to stop transmission and save lives. Bristol’s rate is currently 478 new cases per 100,000 population, showing cases continue to rise across the city, and across age groups.
“Please act as if you do have the virus – do not socially mix, remember hands, face, space and if you develop symptoms, get tested.”
The Ashton Gate facility will focus on vaccinating people over the age of 80, as well as supporting the vaccination of frontline health and care staff, and is only open to those who have been invited to get vaccinated.
Main photo by Eddie Mulholland-WPA Pool:Getty Images
Read more: First look inside mass vaccination centre ready to open at Ashton Gate
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