In the past seven months sports clubs, arts venues and shopping centres across south west London have been transformed into community vaccination centres where locals can line up to get Covid-19 jabs.
Since the Twickenham Stoop Stadium vaccination site opened in February, the NHS in south west London and Harlequins Rugby Club have delivered well over 75,000 Covid-19 vaccinations.
SEE MORE: Over 1.7 million Covid jabs given in SW London as Harlequins help out
Now, with almost all Covid-19 restrictions being eased, Harlequins needs to reopen the stadium to fans for the new league season.
Vaccinating will stop at the Harlequins clinic on Monday (August 30) although there will be capacity for hundreds of vaccinations each day at nearby vaccination sites.
Dr Patrick Gibson, Richmond GP lead, thanked the rugby team for their help.
He said: “We are immensely grateful to the team at Harlequins for their support, with many of their staff becoming part of the NHS vaccine family. This strong relationship means that we know we can call them again if needed in the future and meanwhile Quins has gained a legion of NHS fans.
Nearby vaccination centres include the Richmond GP-led centres at Essex House in Barnes, Acorn Group Practice in Twickenham and York Medical Practice.
The Roehampton vaccination centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital is offering vaccination, and nearby in Kingston vaccination is also available at the Hawks Road vaccination site, as well as Ace and PSM Pharmacies.
Harlequins CEO, Laurie Dalrymple, said:
“It has been Harlequins’ honour to host the NHS vaccine rollout over the last seven months. To see 75,000 doses handed out in The Chris Robshaw Bar has allowed us to contribute to the protection of both our local community and the general population during an immensely challenging period for the entire world.
“While we look forward to hosting full stadiums once again, we wish our friends in the NHS nothing but the best with the continuation of the vaccine rollout. And of course, a huge thank you to those in the NHS that have worked tirelessly to help protect us all. It has been a privilege to work alongside you.”
Find out more about the Covid-19 vaccination programme at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccine
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here