Arsenal fans could be attending the Emirates Stadium sooner than they think, as the club is in talks with local GPs to become a Covid vaccination hub.
In addition, GPs have been giving flu vaccinations at the ground for the past two weeks while football matches are going ahead behind closed doors.
Community development officer Samir Singh told the Highbury West Ward Partnership meeting on 19 November that the club was interested in helping the national effort, and later confirmed to Islington Now: “We’ve been in conversations with the [Islington] GP Federation.”
The Federation coordinates work across GP surgeries in the local area.
Various vaccine development projects have shown success recently, notably those from Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca – which have over 90% efficacy so far. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hinted that the most vulnerable could be vaccinated by Easter.
The Islington GP Federation said in a statement on flu vaccination: “It’s always a challenge, but this year, it was going to be even more difficult in the midst of the global pandemic with new rules around social distancing. That’s where the Islington GP Federation came in.”
Singh explained how the club has helped with the flu vaccination drive: “People are scared, especially going to a medical area, currently. So, the Arsenal setting, the community setting, is really helpful.”
He added: “It’s our first time for jabs, but we’ve helped with plenty of public health projects in the past, such as obesity and cancer campaigns.”
The flu clinic at the Emirates is by invitation only. Eligible people are contacted by text message with a link to an online booking system.
In addition, the club is hosting a food distribution centre with the help of the charities the Felix Project and HiS Church.
Singh mentioned: “We’re coming up to 500,000 meals supplied through our food distribution centre.” The half million milestone is expected to be reached in mid-December.
