Queen Mary University of London is continuing to support the fight against Covid-19, and supporting its East London community by hosting the first COVID vaccine centre to open in Tower Hamlets. Working in partnership with the Borough’s GP Care Group, Queen Mary is providing space in its Arts Research Centre, on the Mile End Road, for the most vulnerable local residents to receive vaccinations.
The centre will be open from Wednesday 16th of December, with vaccinations being given to priority groups identified by NHS England, starting with people over 80.
Professor Colin Bailey, President and Principal of Queen Mary, said: “We’ve worked hard to help in the battle against the global pandemic this year. This includes applying our research power to help make medical breakthroughs and providing leadership of the development of the Nightingale Hospital in London. Just as importantly, many of our students and staff have volunteered in the community to support the most vulnerable.
“I’m incredibly proud of the contribution we are continuing to make, which now includes hosting this vaccination centre. We are deeply embedded in our local community and I am extremely pleased that we can help ensure people in Tower Hamlets benefit from the vaccine as quickly as possible.”
The Arts Research Centre, part of Queen Mary’s Mile End Campus, is ideally suited to being a vaccination centre, with easy access from the street, public transport links nearby and parking facilities close. Queen Mary staff have worked closely with colleagues in the Tower Hamlets Care GP Care Group to quickly prepare it to roll out the vaccine, including providing support with planning and facilities management.
Tracy Cannell, Joint Chief Executive of Tower Hamlets GP Care Group said “We are delighted to begin offering Covid vaccines to Tower Hamlets residents. Queen Mary University have been incredibly supportive and helpful in establishing the centre, and my sincere thanks go to them for all they have done to help us establish this vital service so quickly.”
Vaccinations at the centre will be strictly by appointment, with those eligible at this stage being contacted by the Care Group. Full details are available at the Tower Hamlets Care Group website.
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