Anfield is expected to join the growing list of COVID-19 vaccine centers in Liverpool from this weekend.
Reds’ home stadium is set to become the city’s newest GP-led site, adding to a network of immunization services in the heart of local communities.
Working as an extension to the local vaccination centers already in operation, Anfield will begin welcoming patients to receive the vaccine on Saturday.
All vaccines are by prescription only. In-house vaccines are not available and vaccinations will not be made available to the public arriving at Anfield, or anywhere else, without reservation.
Those invited to be vaccinated at the stadium are people registered with a GP surgery affiliated with the groups of practices that use the site.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, a local GP and chair of the NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We have been clear that we want to put vaccination centers close to where people live, so that we can do so. our communities can easily get vaccinated when it comes in.
“We are delighted to have the support of Liverpool Football Club for our latest vaccine. Sport plays such an important part in the life of the city, so it is only fitting that the club helps us to protect our people and hopefully look forward to a point in the future. come when we see some regularity begin to return.
“It is very important to emphasize that you cannot simply turn at Anfield or any of our local vaccination services – you will be invited to one when the opportunity arises.
“Also, remember that you could even get or spread a coronavirus even once you’ve been vaccinated so you need to keep following the rules and remember – hands, face, place.”
Billy Hogan, chief executive of Liverpool FC, said: “We are delighted to support the roll-out of the vaccine as part of our ongoing support for the city and our vital public health strategy, and we hope that Anfield will be a place that is accessible to people. to have the vaccine when called.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been committed to supporting our local communities and bringing a sense of normalcy back to our city, and hopefully Anfield, to again soon. ”
All 85 GPs in Liverpool are linked to a local vaccination service, with appropriate patients stating where they need to be when invited to be vaccinated.
Currently, the focus of the vaccination program remains on the original priority groups: residents in care homes for older residents, over 80s, frontal health and social care workers, over 70s, and people who are at clinical risk.
To date, more than 80 per cent of people over 80 have been vaccinated. The aim is to offer the first dose of the vaccine to everyone in these groups by mid – February, with Liverpool currently on track to meet this target.
The use of Anfield as a vaccination site is part of local NHS plans for additional GP-led immunization services in key neighborhood locations across the city, rather than creating a larger vaccine site.
In addition to these local GP – led vaccination services, there are a number of regional vaccination centers for use by people throughout Cheshire and Merseyside, including one in St Helens.
People who are eligible and have not already been vaccinated with their local doctor-led vaccination service will receive letters from the NHS COVID-19 Vaccine Retention Service, telling them how to place their prescription arranged at one of these regional centers. This service also includes a number of community pharmacies.
Recipients of an invitation letter to use regional services do not have to take this option if they do not wish to do so, and will still be contacted by their local GP – led vaccination center if they do not respond.
The vaccination centers are run by GPs and regional vaccination centers as well as hospital site sites, run by NHS trusts, which aim to vaccinate local health and social care staff.