Hydro vaccination centre in Glasgow to close later this week

Sunday will see the final Covid jabs administered inside Glasgow’s SSE Hydro.

The arena, which has been serving as a vaccination centre since April, will be handed back next week in preparation for the COP26 climate conference in November.

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) say they are moving to the next stage of the vaccine programme, focussing on mobile facilities and drop-ins at community settings, alongside planned second dose appointments.

© Jeff J Mitchell/PA Wire

Jane Grant, NHSGGC chief executive, said: “The SSE Hydro and NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital have both played a really significant role in enabling NHSGGC to deliver our vaccination programme.

“I want to personally thank all staff who have been working so tirelessly at the SEC campus, from our vaccinators, support and logistics staff, admin teams, site security and everyone who has helped behind the scenes to enable so many people to receive their vaccination.

“Likewise to the members of the public who have come forward and rolled up their sleeves already, thank you for doing so.”

A community effort

Almost 3,000 vaccinators have worked across the vaccination programme at the Hydro, with over 800 support staff and hundreds more council workers and volunteers also lending a hand.

Following the closure of the Hydro, NHSGGC will have 17 operational community clinics and will continue to work in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service to deliver mobile vaccinations using a vaccination bus.

Health secretary Humza Yousaf said: “By close of play on Sunday every adult in the NHSGGC area who attended their scheduled appointment will have received their first dose but we urge anyone who hasn’t come forward for whatever reason to pop into the Hydro as staff mark its final day as a vaccination centre.

“Staff there have made a massive contribution to the successful roll-out of the vaccination programme, carrying out up to 5,000 vaccinations a day, and I want thank each and every one of them.

“It is now time for the site to be handed over in preparation for COP26 as was always the intention. The transition from the Hydro will be seamless with no negative impact on vaccination capacity and appointments have been allocated to alternative clinics, although of course, people can always head along to one of the many drop-in clinics now operating in the area if they prefer.

“As ever I continue to urge everyone to take up their offer of a vaccine, be it first or second dose. It is the best route out of this pandemic and the best way to protect yourself, your family and friends and your community.”

Vaccine roll-out a ‘great success’

NHSGGC has administered approximately 1.4million vaccinations across the health board area, with over 555,000 people now double dosed.

Grant added: “Our vaccination rollout has been a great success so far and as we now move into the next stage of the programme and look ahead to potential COVID-19 vaccine booster requirements, it is important we can continue to provide an accessible and flexible service to members of the public.

“This is why our focus is now very much on community drop-ins and the use of mobile vaccination facilities which allow us to continue to connect with communities as well as make provision for people who may not be able to attend a scheduled appointment due to work or family commitments.

“It is so important that everyone who is eligible has the opportunity to be vaccinated and I would encourage anyone who may not have come forward yet, but would now like to, to drop-in to the Hydro on Sunday.

“We look forward to welcoming anyone aged 18 years old and over for their first dose as well as people who had their first vaccination at least eight weeks ago and would like their second. Our staff will look forward to seeing you and supporting you to be vaccinated.”