Neasden temple reveals extent of its vaccination drive role
A COVID-19 vaccination centre at the BAPS Swaminarayan Neasden temple in London has delivered more than 80,000 doses so far, it was revealed this week.
The centre in the Swaminarayan School on Brentfield Road, opened by BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, popularly known as Neasden Temple, initially offered its services in February this year.
Neasden Temple has since provided volunteering services to prepare and run the facility and offered the premises free of charge to support the government’s vaccination drive, a statement said.
The centre, which can deliver 1,200 daily vaccinations, opens on selected Saturdays to meet the vaccination targets set by the government. It is supported by K&W Healthcare, a GP-led organisation supporting GPs and services in Brent.
Home secretary Priti Patel thanked the volunteers when she visited the centre in February this year.
“I just wanted to thank you all, and in particular the volunteers, who have made this national effort possible. It is a heroic effort that is saving lives. It will save your life when you have the vaccine and it will save the lives of other people, too,” she said.
Dr Mayank Shah, a practising GP and a trustee at the mandir, said: “His Holiness Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj has inspired and energised us to support the nation’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. We are humbled to have had this opportunity to bolster the vaccination campaign and testing drive, to play our part in slowing the spread of coronavirus.”
The car park facility of the temple had been using to perform Covid-19 antigen testing since June 2020. Around 19,000 tests have been undertaken by the Army through to May 2021, the statement added. A mobile clinical laboratory has been operating at the mandir since December last year.
Hasmita Patel, who oversees operations at the vaccination centre, said: “Our pool of 15-20 volunteers have dedicated their time and made personal sacrifices to ensure the centre runs smoothly. Their efforts have been instrumental in delivering over 80,000 jabs into the arms of local residents safely and efficiently.
“We look forward to continuing serving the community in the final push to meet the government’s targets.”