Pop-up vaccination clinics come to Hull

Pop-up vaccination clinics are being held in the city over the next few weeks to ensure every person has the chance to be protected. Vaccinations are now available to all adults aged over 18. In Hull, 76.7 per cent of those eligible have had their first dose and 96.2 per cent for people aged 40 and over. The clinics are for any people who may have missed appointments or not made them for any reason.

The first will be held this week in Peel Street Park, close to the north end of Springbank, on July 7-10, 9am-6pm. Future sessions will follow in the Boulevard, Hessle Road and Beverley Road areas. In the days before the clinic (July 5-6) a team will knock on doors in the area to discuss what is happening and encourage anyone not vaccinated to attend.

There will also be free, fast, no-symptom tests available on-site, as well as test kits to take home.

Cllr Hester Bridges, Chair of the Hull Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “We have good vaccination rates in Hull, but like everywhere else in the country, small numbers have missed out. These clinics are a chance for those people to easily get their vaccines right near their homes, without having to book.

“Our teams will knock on doors before the clinics are held. They will be able to answer questions, and address concerns. If we knock on your door, you won’t be judged or pressured, it’s simply about making sure everyone has the chance to be protected. Barriers to vaccination can include issues with booking or getting to an appointment. You may have seen misinformation about the vaccine, not know that all adults are now eligible or simply not have got round to it.

“The areas we’re visiting have been chosen because they have comparatively higher rates of unvaccinated people. There is no one reason for this, and those who have not had their jabs are from every age group, background and demographic, which is why knocking on doors and having a face-to-face conversation is important”.

Julia Weldon, Director of Public Health, said: “We know that vaccination is one of the most effective tools we have to control the virus and protect ourselves and others. The more of us who have had both doses, the higher the protection is. We also know that so far, the vaccination has proved effective against new variants, including the Delta variant.

“We are all optimistic that on 19 July the final restrictions will be lifted and we’ll return to life as we knew it before Covid. Before that happens we need to get the numbers of people who are vaccinated as high as possible. If you are not vaccinated, there is always a risk you could catch the virus yourself and become seriously ill. You could also pass it to someone who cannot be vaccinated because of a vulnerability.

“If we’re in your area and you get a knock on the door, please feel free to ask any questions or discuss anything that is stopping you making that appointment. Our teams are looking forward to talking to our communities and getting as many people as possible through the doors of the clinics”.

Future dates and locations are below. Please note, these could be subject to slight change. The council website will be updated in-line with any amendments:

• Constable St Playing Field, Wednesday July 14 – Friday July 16, 9am-6pm
• Tranmere Close, Wednesday July 21 – Friday July 23, 9am-6pm
• Beverley Road area, further details TBC
• Two further sites, TBC.

Anyone aged 18 or over can book their vaccine now online, or your local NHS services may contact you directly: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

Check where and when pop-up clinics are taking place here: https://www.hull.gov.uk/coronavirus/coronavirus-community-advice-and-support/covid-19-vaccine-programme

Information taken from Hull City Council website