Targetted vaccine programme for unvaccinated adults in Reading surge test postcodes
In response to an increase in Covid-19 infections and cases of the 'Delta' variant first identified in India in Reading, the Council and the NHS are boosting the local vaccination programme with a targetted vaccination clinic at the Reading Borough Council Civic Offices from Thursday 17th June to Sunday 27th June.
People who have not received a vaccine are more likely to become ill or be hospitalised as a result of catching the Delta variant. Therefore, in addition to extra testing, Reading Borough Council and the local NHS are working together to ensure anyone aged over 18 who lives, works or studies in the surge testing postcodes can now receive their first dose of the COVID vaccine - if they have not yet been vaccinated at all. This will keep them safer and help minimise the spread of infection in Reading.
Vaccination clinic details
- The programme is for people aged 18 and over who live, work or study in postcode areas RG1 3**, RG1 5**, RG1 6** and RG1 7** who have not yet had any doses of the vaccine.
- The vaccine clinic is at the Reading Borough Council Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU. Please go to the main entrance on Bridge Street.
- The clinic is open from Thursday 17th June to Sunday 27th June, from 9.30am to 8.30pm, seven days a week.
- You do not need an appointment.
- You should bring a mask with you to wear in the building and if possible ID and proof that you live, work or study in one of the postcode areas RG1 3**, RG1 5**, RG1 6** or RG1 7**.
- You may need to queue outside - please come prepared depending on the weather; water, sun cream, hat, umbrella etc.
- There is no car parking on-site. You can travel to the vaccine clinic on foot or by public transport. The closest public car park is The Oracle Shopping Centre.
- The vaccine administered at the clinic is suitable for people under 40 and pregnant women.
The service is only for people in the areas of Reading currently undergoing extra testing. You need to live, work or study in RG1 3**, RG1 5**, RG1 6** or RG1 7** to access this service.
Councillor Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council Leader said: “The best way to protect yourself, your family and friends is to get vaccinated, and now people aged 18 and over who live, work or study in postcodes RG1 3**, RG1 5**, RG1 6** and RG1 7** can get vaccinated at the Civic Offices, no appointment is needed.”
“We know people who are not vaccinated are more at risk of becoming very unwell if they contract the Delta variant so this really is the best way to protect yourself and others.”
“This is about doing the right thing for Reading and protecting yourself, your loved ones, your neighbours and your local community - the more people who are vaccinated in the town the more we suppress the virus, stop transmission and protect each other.”
Sanjay Desai, Deputy Director, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Incident Control Centre, Associate Director of Medicines Optimisation, 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, have not had any doses of a COVID vaccine and you live, work or study in postcode areas RG1 3**, RG1 5**, RG1 6** or RG1 7**, please do come forward for your vaccination. This will help to reduce the spread of the infection and move us in the right direction to getting life back to some normality."
If you have any questions about taking the vaccine or your personal medical circumstances, talk to your GP.
There is more information about the vaccination programme on the NHS website.
People aged 21 and over can also to book a vaccine at a mass vaccination site through the NHS website.
Notes
www.reading.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/extra-covid-19-vaccination-service/