Sadiq Khan convenes London Vaccine Summit to boost capital's jab uptake

SADIQ KHAN is working together with vaccines minister, the NHS and local leaders - and has convened London Vaccine Summit on Friday (25) afternoon to discuss ways to drive up Covid-19 vaccine uptake over the next three weeks in the city.

City leaders including the mayor of London wants to vaccinate as many Londoners as possible to ensure the capital can fully reopen on July 19 safely.

At the summit, Khan will be joined by vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi, NHS officials, health, community, faith and business leaders to ensure all possible avenues are taken to speed up the rollout and make sure all Londoners take up both doses at the earliest.

More than 8.3m doses of the life-saving Covid-19 vaccines have now been given to Londoners, with more than 3.2m receiving two doses, but the mayor has highlighted that the capital still faces unique challenges in the rollout.

Khan said: “London is leading the way in rolling out the Covid vaccine across a global city. We have seen the success of walk-in vaccination centres in London and I’m pleased that they will be continuing in the coming weeks. We will be doing all we can to continually improve access to these life-saving vaccines and to reassure Londoners you do not have to be registered with a GP to get vaccinated.

“The next three weeks are absolutely crucial to ensuring restrictions are lifted. It’s an incredible achievement that more than 8.3m doses of the life-saving Covid-19 vaccines have already been given to Londoners, but we still have much to do and I really want to drive up the number of people getting vaccinated even further.

“Today’s landmark summit is a great example of working in partnership for the benefit of Londoners – we are bringing people together today with a common goal and a joint commitment to doing everything we can to step up vaccinations. I urge all Londoners aged 18 and over to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible.”

UK's health secretary, Matt Hancock said, “Today’s London Vaccine Summit is an excellent example of how we can all come together and play our part to defeat this virus.”

Last weekend the NHS in London held a series of successful mass-vaccination pop-up events, including at Chelsea, West Ham, Tottenham and Charlton football clubs, and more events are due to take place this weekend, including at Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

Zahawi said: “I’m extremely pleased that NHS officials, health, community, faith and business leaders are uniting at this London Vaccine Summit as we intensify our efforts to ensure everyone who is eligible is coming forward for not just their first jab, but crucially for their second jab to get the fullest possible protection.

“Vaccines save lives – with evidence showing they have prevented more than 14,000 deaths and more than 44,500 hospitalisations across England alone.

“It has been brilliant to see the response of Londoners flocking to various vaccine sites across the capital, showing enthusiasm to protect themselves and their loved ones. If you get the call, book your appointment as soon as you can and do not delay, as the vaccines continue to be our greatest defence as we continue to tackle this global pandemic.”

Further topics that will be addressed at the summit will include the best ways to ensure Londoners are provided with the most complete information about where to receive their vaccine. A refreshed online service will help Londoners find the location and times of local vaccine centres, including walk-ins.

Attendees at today’s (25) London Vaccine Summit will also include Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS regional medical director for London, Professor Kevin Fenton, director for PHE London, Rokhsana Fiaz, mayor of Newham, and representatives from across the capital. It will also feature a video message from the prime minister commending the success of the rollout and reiterating the importance of all Londoners taking the vaccine.