Hundreds queue for jab at Primark pop-up centre
IT normally sees queues of people desperate to get their hands on the latest fashion bargains.
But this weekend Bristol’s Primark store has seen queues of a different kind – of people lining up to get their Covid jab.
The fashion retailer teamed up with the NHS to open a walk-in vaccination clinic at its Horsefair store.
Eight fitting rooms on the ground floor were transformed into eight vaccination pods.
By lunchtime on Saturday, the first-dose Pfizer clinic had vaccinated over 100 people and the NHS team were expected to vaccinate up to 600 people over the weekend.
Shopper Andrea Maria Brighenti, it will not be a legal requirement, we encourage you to wear a mask, make space, meet outdoors and ventilate spaces to protect yourself and others.”
Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Case rates are still high and rising, but it is encouraging that the increase in cases still does not appear to be associated with a similar increase in hospitalisations and deaths. This is testament to the continued success of the vaccination programme in reducing the incidence of severe disease.
“The best way to keep yourself and those around you safe is to get both doses of the vaccine as soon as you are eligible. However, while vaccines offer excellent protection, they do not completely eliminate risk.
“As we approach the end of restrictions, it is as important as ever that we continue to exercise caution. Take your free twiceweekly rapid tests and if you have symptoms, you should book a PCR test immediately and stay at home 23, said: “It was really easy – having the clinic in Primark was a great idea.”
The clinic offered first doses of Pfizer vaccine to anyone aged 18 or over. The collaboration is part of the local vaccination roll-out’s efforts to make it as easy as possible for young people to have their vaccine around work and lifestyle commitments.
Conor Walsh, director of sales at Primark UK, said: “We’re really pleased that we can play a small part in supporting the work of the NHS by hosting the vaccination clinic in our Bristol store this weekend and make it even easier for people to get their vaccine.” until you receive your result.”
Meanwhile the NHS test and trace app continues to cause staffing problems at businesses across the region, with the hospitality industry particularly hard hit.
And a Cotham GP surgery has “several” staff self-isolating with a “huge” impact on service.
The Family Practice Western College, on Cotham Road, Bristol, texted patients on Friday, asking them to have patience.
The message reads: “We regret to inform you that several of our team (clinicians and non-clinicians) are having to self-isolate, through no fault of their own, due to contact with people who have tested positive.
“This has had a huge impact on the service we provide and we ask for your patience as we work through this. We are employing locums and agency staff where available and working remotely where possible. Thank you for your understanding and patience and please stay safe.”
BORIS Johnson has abandoned plans to avoid quarantine after being contacted by NHS Test and Trace following a furious political backlash.
The Prime Minister and Chancellor Rishi Sunak had originally planned to take daily tests rather than self-isolate following meetings last week with Health Secretary Sajid Javid who has tested positive for Covid.
But in a dramatic turnaround Downing Street said the two ministers would be selfisolating rather than taking part in a daily contact testing pilot.
“The Prime Minister has been contacted by NHS Test and Trace to say he is a contact of someone with Covid,” a spokesman said.
“He was at Chequers when contacted by Test and Trace and will remain there to isolate. He will not be taking part in the testing pilot.
“He will continue to conduct meetings with ministers remotely. The Chancellor has also been contacted and will also isolate as required and will not be taking part in the pilot.”
The Prime Minister later tweeted a video of him saying that he had been pinged and asked to self-isolate after being in contact with Mr Javid.
“We did look briefly at the idea of us taking part in this scheme which allows people to test daily, but I think it is far more important that everyone sticks to the same rules, and that’s why I’m going to be self-isolating until Monday, July 26,” he said.
The U-turn came less that three hours after No 10 announced the two ministers would carry on working in Downing Street while taking daily tests.
It is part of a programme being trialled across 20 public and private sector organisations including Border Force and Network Rail as well as the Cabinet Office and No 10.
That sparked outrage amid warnings it risked undermining the Government’s messaging on continuing to self-isolation at a critical point in the pandemic.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the Government was in ‘chaos’ at a time when in needed to maintain public confidence.
“Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have been busted yet again for thinking the rules that we are all following don’t apply to them,” he said. “The way the Prime Minister conducts himself creates chaos, makes for bad government and has deadly consequences for the British public”.