Barts Health bringing vaccinations to the local community
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A team from Barts Health NHS Trust have set up a temporary Covid-19 vaccination clinic in a community centre linked to a temple in east London
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The team from the NHS Covid-19 vaccination centre, Newham, identified an area with low vaccine uptake and invited individuals fitting the JCVI guidelines to come for a vaccination closer to home and in a familiar environment.
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33 local people were invited to the outreach clinic, running on the 18 February, to receive their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine
A team from Barts Health NHS Trust have set up a temporary Covid-19 vaccination clinic in a community centre linked to a temple in east London.
Working with colleagues from local councils and clinical commissioning groups, the team from the NHS Covid-19 vaccination centre, Newham, identified an area with low vaccine uptake and invited individuals fitting the JCVI guidelines to come for a vaccination closer to home and in a familiar environment.
In total, 33 local people were invited to the outreach clinic, running on the 18 February, to receive their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. Everyone who received a vaccine at this clinic will have the option to receive their second dose at another outreach clinic.
Tejal Patel, pharmacy manager and the outreach clinic lead, said: “It’s important that we go the extra mile to make sure everybody who is eligible to receive the vaccine is doing so. We need to make people feel at ease and be on hand to answer any questions they may have and allay any fears. By bringing the clinic closer to the local community, we’re able to reach those who may otherwise not come for a vaccination.”
Mr Balbil Singh Barmi, 69, who works as a driver for children with learning disabilities, said: "I'm very glad I could have a Covid-19 vaccine and that I could have it somewhere familiar to me.
“I am a member of the temple and so coming somewhere that I know, where I know the people, was very reassuring to me. I wanted to get the vaccine when I was offered it because of my work and because it will help us get back to normal."
The Barts Health team that ran the clinic at the temple include a pharmacist and a healthcare professional who administers the vaccine. Prior to the clinic being set up, a full assessment of the area was done to ensure it is safe for those receiving the vaccine and those delivering it.
Barts Health are working with local colleagues to identify further opportunities and locations for other such outreach clinics.
Read more:
- More information about the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Centre, Newham, can be found on the website.
- People within cohorts 1-6 are currently being vaccinated, in line with JCVI guidance.