Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium is to become the latest London-based Premier League venue to open as a COVID-19 vaccination centre.
Arsenal has teamed up with the NHS and Islington Council to host the clinic from June 25-28. The centre will be open to all over 18s, with Arsenal to offer everyone vaccinated a complimentary behind-the-scenes tour of Emirates Stadium.
The site will offer first doses only between 8am and 8pm each day. Arsenal has invited locals to either book a slot in advance or visit the stadium for a walk-in appointment, subject to availability.
Arsenal expects that close to 10,000 vaccinations will be given over the four days, with all attendees to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Entry to the stadium will start at Block S, with a managed queueing system to be put in place.
Vaccinations will be carried out in the stadium’s concourse, delivered by trained vaccinators from the NHS. Attendees will be required to wear a face mask.
Last weekend, the homes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United opened their doors to host vaccination clinics. Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park also opened as a vaccination clinic in January.
Jonathan O’Sullivan, acting director of public health in Islington, said: “The vaccine is helping to bring us out of the pandemic. But we need more people in Islington and London to get vaccinated. It’s the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones, and having the jab really will help us all get back to enjoying the things we’ve missed doing.
“So, I urge everyone who is eligible and has yet to be vaccinated to book their appointment today. We hope the pop-up at this iconic landmark in the borough will provide some extra incentive. We’d love to get even more people down there than were at Spurs’ stadium last weekend.”
Newly promoted Premier League club Brentford also hosted a COVID-19 testing event at its stadium on Saturday. Brentford partnered with Hounslow Council on the event, which ran from 11am until 6pm.
Image: Nelson Ndongala on Unsplash
