Swindon’s Sikh temple to host Covid-19 vaccine pop-up clinic

Swindon’s Sikh temple will play host to a pop-up Covid-19 vaccination clinic later this month.

First and second doses of the vaccine, as well as the all-important booster jab, will be available from the Shri Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Kembrey Street between 10am and 3pm on Sunday 27 February.

Any person over the age of 16 will be able to receive their vaccination from the temple, with those intending to visit not required to pre-book an appointment.

This latest pop-up clinic is only the second time that a local place of worship has been used as a vaccine centre, following Salisbury Cathedral, which delivered thousands of vaccinations during the first half of 2021.

Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality, said: “We are incredibly excited to be able to bring a pop-up vaccination clinic to one of the most iconic and eye-catching locations in Swindon.

“Over the last few weeks, our teams of mobile vaccinators have visited everywhere from pubs and universities to football stadiums and city centre high streets, but it is an enormous privilege for us to now bring a clinic to this unique place of worship.

“Thousands of people in Swindon are still without any form of vaccination, and we’d encourage any person in need of a vaccine, regardless of their faith, to visit our friendly team this coming Sunday.”

Across Swindon, more than 80 per cent of all adults have been triple vaccinated, meaning the vast majority of the population is fully protected against Covid-19 and the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

However, latest figures show that more than 22,000 people who are eligible to receive the lifesaving vaccine are still yet to come forward.

Some areas of Swindon, including Penhill, Pinehurst, Eastcott and the town centre, also have a lower uptake rate than many other parts of the town.

It is hoped that the increase in community-based vaccination clinics, such as those taking place in venues not traditionally used for healthcare, will help those who are reluctant to get protected to do so.

More than 100 people attended a pop-up vaccination clinic held earlier this month at the Moonrakers pub in Penhill.

Around a quarter of those who visited the pub did so to receive their first vaccination.

Pop-up clinics continue to be held in all areas of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, with teams on hand to provide first, second and booster doses, as well as information to those who may have questions or concerns.

Details of all local vaccination centres, including pop-up clinics, can be found through the National Booking Service, which is available online at www.nhs.uk or over the phone by calling 119.

Further information about the local rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, including an extensive list of frequently asked questions, can be found at www.bswccg.nhs.uk.