Mayor of Watford gets Covid-19 vaccination jab

Mayor Peter Taylor announced he received the first jab this morning (February 16) at Watford Town Hall.

He explained that he was eligible for the jab as he is volunteering at the vaccination centre in the town hall.

On Twitter, the mayor said: “So grateful to the brilliant team of staff and volunteers making this happen.”

Cllr Asif Khan, chair of Watford Labour, also received his first Covid-19 vaccine today.

Cllr Asif Khan received his first Covid-19 vaccination jab

The town hall launched as vaccination centre last Thursday (February 11) to help continue the national roll out of vaccinations.

The centre is in the extension to the Town Hall, chosen because it is on one level and has flexible space to accommodate the needs of the centre.

It has the capacity to administer thousands of vaccines a week.

Suzie Shakespeare, pod manager at vaccination centre (photo NHS/Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust)

Following the announcement of the Town Hall vaccination centre, Mr Taylor said: “I am delighted that the Town Hall can play such a vital role in protecting our community. It is such a landmark in Watford and so it seems fitting that it can add this role to its long history of serving our residents – perhaps the most important one it has ever played.

He continued: “It is the best way we can protect ourselves, our friends and family and, hopefully, come out of this terrible pandemic together.”

Read more:

• Inside the 'fabulous' new coronavirus vaccination centre in Watford Town Hall
• Councillor gets Covid-19 jab as he expresses BAME groups should take vaccine

Anyone who is aged 70 and over, and those who have been advised to ‘shield’ because they are considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable, are now encouraged to get in contact with the NHS if they haven’t got a first appointment already booked, so that they can be vaccinated as soon as possible.

The easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national booking service which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. The system allows eligible people to choose a time slot and location at either a large vaccination site or community pharmacy that suits them.

Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. If a suitable and convenient slot is not available through the national booking system, people can get in contact with their own GP practice. Practice staff will be able to help their eligible patients to book into a local GP-led vaccination centre.