NHS Lothian has today (23 September) reached a milestone moment as the vaccination teams delivered the 10,000th COVID vaccination at the Gyle Centre pop-up clinic.
The clinic, which opened on Tuesday 27 July, has enabled visitors who are shopping, grabbing a bite to eat or working nearby to get their life-saving AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, without needing an appointment.
Introduced to try and make it as easy as possible for people to pick up their first or second dose of the vaccine, the Gyle centre clinic was one in a range of similar ventures which saw pop-up’s at locations such as shopping centres, football matches, university campuses and busy city centre locations.
Pat Wynne, Director of Community Nursing, NHS Lothian, said, “It is incredible to think that in less than two months, our team at the Gyle Centre pop-up have delivered 10,000 vaccinations. That is a truly phenomenal number and is testament to the hard work of all those involved. To each and every one of them, and for every person who dropped by to get their life-saving vaccine, I would like to say a huge thank you.”
The Gyle pop-up clinic was only due to run until the middle of August, but was extended until 25 September in recognition of its popularity. Vaccinations will still be available until 6pm on Saturday (25 September) for anyone who requires either their first dose or is now due their second dose of the vaccine.
The COVID vaccination programme is now moving into a new phase with the four Health and Social Care Partnerships within Lothian taking responsibility for the administration and delivery of the vaccination programme within their local areas of East Lothian, Midlothian, Edinburgh and West Lothian.
The health and social care partnerships will build on the success of the innovative programme to ensure that Lothian continues to stay on track in the fight against COVID.
Mr Wynne added, “We are incredibly grateful and thankful to the Gyle Shopping Centre for supporting this pop-up clinic. They not only provided prominent retail outlets, but supported with important aspects such as queue management.
“We may be moving into the next phase of the vaccination programme, but there is still time for people to receive their first dose of the vaccine or complete their course by getting their second dose. As Scotland continues to respond to the COVID pandemic, ensuring that you are fully vaccinated really is the single most important thing you can do and will ultimately save lives.”
Information on COVID vaccinations is available on NHS Inform.
To find out more about vaccination clinics happening across Lothian visit: https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Drop-in-Clinics.aspx
(Pictured is Robert Parker (29). Robert chose to attend the Gyle Centre pop-up as its a convenient place for him, and somewhere that he frequently visits.)
