NHS Lothian is today launching its Summer of Football campaign as part of its bid to deliver as many life-saving vaccinations across the region as possible.
The Summer of Football campaign will see NHS Lothian place walk-up COVID-19 vaccination units outside the region’s big football stadiums in the run up to their summer football matches.
The campaign will kick off today at Easter Road stadium before today’s friendly between Hibernian FC and Arsenal FC. They will also visit Heart of Midlothian’s Tynecastle Stadium at a later date.
Pat Wynne, Director of Community Nursing, NHS Lothian, said: “We are delighted to be working with both Hearts and Hibs to be deliver more life-saving COVID vaccines to as many people as possible. If you are attending football, and are due to be vaccinated, please consider taking advantage of this facility and visit us.
NHS Lothian has started to utilise mobile vaccination units across Lothian as part of its COVID-19 vaccination programme. A Scottish Ambulance Service unit visited Fort Kinnaird Shopping Centre and The Centre, Livingston, last week, along with Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. It will visit now Musselburgh and Dalkeith town centres today and tomorrow respectively, having already visited Dunbar on Monday.
The vaccination team will be at the Easter Road’s East Stand today, just off Albion Road, between 2pm and 6pm.
While it has been set it to target those attending the match, anyone is able to present at the mobile clinic for vaccination. Anyone over the age of 18 can be vaccinated, provided it is their first vaccination, or they can get their second vaccination if they are eight weeks past their first.
Mr Wynne added: “It has now never been easier to get your COVID-19 vaccination. Whether you going to a football match or taking a quick break from work, we are making it as easy as possible to come forward for vaccination.”
“While these units are being put in place to primarily target football fans, they are also community resources and I would encourage anyone in the Easter Road area today to come and visit the clinics and get their vaccine.
