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Publish date: 28 September 2021
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid visited the UCLH vaccination centre at UCL’s Bidborough House on Thursday 23 September to see the vital role UCLH and UCL are playing in getting the UK’s population vaccinated for COVID-19.
Photo: the Sun
He was greeted by chief executive David Probert, chair Dame Julia Neuberger, and UCL president and provost Michael Spence. He was briefed on the vaccination programme by director of strategy Laura Churchward and other members of the team before touring the centre with Deborah Scott, clinical nurse specialist and vaccination lead at UCLH.
Photo: The Department of Health and Social Care
He spoke to some of the volunteers and staff who do the vital work of vaccinating up to 1,000 people a day and thanked them for their hard work and dedication in the effort to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
Located a few minutes’ walk from King’s Cross/St Pancras and Euston stations, and close to the British Library, the centre at Bidborough House opened on 26 August 2021, is run in partnership with UCL.
The health secretary’s visit took place in the same week that the centre began giving UCLH staff their COVID-19 booster jabs. At the same time, the centre is also busy with Londoners getting their first and second jabs, and UCL overseas students keen to make sure they can safely make the most of student life in the UK.
After observing the vaccination process from beginning to end and speaking to some of those having their vaccination, Mr Javid addressed centre staff and volunteers.
He said: “The whole country should be proud of the incredible work taking place on the vaccine rollout.
“I’d like to give special thanks to the amazing staff and volunteers at the Bidborough House vaccination centre and across the nation.
“The work you’re doing – vaccinating the public and health and social care staff – is helping build a wall of defence against the virus, allowing us to return to a more normal life.
“Getting the vaccine has never been easier, and I urge anyone who hasn’t yet come forward to play their part by getting the jab to protect themselves, their families and their communities.”
David Probert said: “We’re delighted to welcome the health secretary to our vaccination centre and to give him the chance to see up close how hard and diligently the staff and volunteers are working to make sure people get their vaccine quickly, safely and effectively.
“The COVID-19 jab is a vital weapon in the effort to get the country back to normal and helping to keep people safe, so I’m really pleased we could host the secretary of state today and that he got to meet and speak with some of those on the front line of the vaccine service.”
Michael Spence said: “Working with our partners at UCLH, we are incredibly proud to host this important community facility, which is helping ensure many thousands of local residents and students can get a vaccination at their convenience.
“The success of the vaccination rollout, along with regular Covid-19 testing, will help us all get back to life as we know and love it; as students return to campus we are proactively communicating the importance of getting a jab and the ability to book an appointment at Bidborough House.”
