With the COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Centre based in St Helens Rugby Ground, it was only a matter of time before the NHS and Saints joined forces to create a winning team.
On Thursday 17 June, supporters at the Saints v Warrington game will be able to visit a special drop-in clinic at the stadium to have their vaccination before the match, with no need for an appointment.
The ‘jab and go watch the match’ initiative is for any ticket holder eligible for the vaccine and aims to make it as easy as possible for those who still haven’t had their vaccine to get protected as soon as possible.
The Mass Vaccination Centre, run by St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, this week reached the remarkable achievement of 150,000 vaccinations delivered at the centre, and the Trust which manages Whiston, St Helens and Newton hospitals knows only too well the devastating impact that COVID has had on the local community.
Ann Marr OBE, Chief Executive said: “COVID-19 has affected all of our lives, and at our hospitals we have seen first-hand the devastation this deadly virus can have. We continue to encourage anyone who is yet to have the vaccine to protect not just themselves but their families too.
We also want to say a massive thank you to everyone at Saints. Throughout the entire pandemic they have been extremely proactive in supporting us with important safety messages to our local community. The drop-in vaccination sessions on matchday is just another example of the fantastic partnership we have, with the health of our local community paramount for both organisations.”
Saints CEO Mike Rush commented “We have been working closely with the Trust since the vaccination programme began and we are happy to again offer our stadium for the drop-in clinic for our fans.
Some of our eligible players have received the vaccine this week and we would encourage anyone who can, to have it at the match.”
If you’re attending the Saints v Warrington game, then any eligible ticket holder can visit the drop-in clinic which will be located in the ‘Wide to West’ kiosk in the West Stand.
Entry to the clinic can ONLY be gained from outside the stadium BEFORE scanning your match ticket to enter to watch the match. Anyone who enters with their ticket through a turnstile would then not be able to access a vaccine. Access to the clinic is via the designated entry and exit point located in the northwest corner of the stadium.
Please leave time in advance of your allocated turnstile entry time to obtain a vaccine.
You can visit any time from 6pm until kick-off, just show your ticket and roll up your sleeve to get protected.
If you’re not attending the match, you can still be vaccinated at Saints, book online on the national NHS website, or call 119 to book your appointment.