Reading’s walk-in vaccination clinic extended until Friday 2nd July
Reading’s walk-in vaccination service will now run for an extra five days.
The walk-in vaccine programme, being run by the Council and the NHS, launched on Thursday 17th June and will now run until Friday 2nd July at Reading Borough Council Civic Offices, Bridge Street RG1 2LU.
The centre was initially scheduled to close on Sunday 27th June. However, because overall uptake of the vaccine in Reading is below the national average, and because this service has been exceptionally successful – with more than 1,870 people being vaccinated in just over a week – it will now stay open for a further five days.
The walk-in service is open to all adults aged 18 and over who live, work or study in Reading and who have not yet had any doses of a vaccine.
The clinic is open from 9.30am to 8.30pm every day until Friday 2nd July.
No appointment is needed.
The best way to access the Civic Offices is on foot or by bus. There is no parking onsite. The nearest parking is at The Oracle or Broad Street Mall shopping centres.
Those coming for a vaccination should bring a mask to wear in the building and, where possible, ID showing they live, work or study in Reading.
The vaccine administered at the clinic is suitable for people under 40 and for pregnant women.
Checklist for those hoping to get a vaccine at Reading Borough Council Civic Offices as part of the extra vaccination programme:
- You must be 18 or over
- You should live, work or study in Reading
- You must not have had ANY doses of a vaccine (to book a second dose, call 119).
- Don’t come to the centre if you have Covid-19 symptoms or have had a positive test in the last 28 days.
- Check Reading Borough Council’s Facebook and Twitter feeds for updates.
Cllr Jason Brock, leader of Reading Borough Council, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the response to Reading’s walk-in vaccination clinic which is being run from the Council’s Civic Offices. In the nine days the service has been open, more than 1,870 people have come along to get their first jab. We’re pleased to be able to extend this service for an extra week so even more people can have their first vaccination.”
“Overall uptake of the vaccine in Reading is below the national average. We are therefore appealing to all adults in the Borough to come out and get their first jab. It’s so important to protect yourself, your family and friends, and your communities.”
“We’ve worked with the NHS to set up this great opportunity in Reading, and I am sure we will see a lot more people coming along in the coming days.”
Sanjay Desai, Associate Director of Medicines Optimisation, Berkshire West CCG said: “We know that people who have not been vaccinated are more likely to become ill or even be hospitalised as a result of contracting the Delta variant of COVID.” “The Delta variant is spreading in Reading and that’s why we’re offering this extra vaccination programme – to ensure people in the most affected areas can be better protected.”
“So if you are 18 or over and haven’t had any doses of the vaccine, please do come forward. This will help to reduce the spread of the infection and move us in the right direction to getting life back to some normality.”
More information is available at: www.reading.gov.uk/vaccinenow
People aged 18 and over can also book a Covid-19 vaccination at a mass vaccination centre through the NHS website.