MCC AND HEALTHCARE CENTRAL LONDON HAVE CREATED A COVID-19 VACCINATION CENTRE AT LORD’S CRICKET GROUND IN SUPPORT OF THE VACCINE ROLLOUT, WITH THE FIRST MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY RECEIVING INJECTIONS TODAY.

Only those with an invitation from their GP to attend Lord's for a vaccination should come to the Ground. As with other vaccination services, people should wait to be invited by the NHS.

MCC has worked closely with local healthcare representatives to convert a space at the world-famous cricket ground, creating the largest vaccine centre in the borough.

Pre-invited local residents and primary care staff began arriving from around 08.00 this morning to the Ground, where it is expected up to 1,000 people will receive their injection today.

The two teams have worked together on the complexities of setting up such a facility including the logistics of staffing, space, equipment, and provisions (especially for the frail and vulnerable) and all within a Covid-secure environment and with health and safety as the priority.   

"we are eager to continue to assist wherever we can with the rollout of the vaccination programme"

Guy Lavender, Chief Executive & Secretary of MCC, said: “We are fortunate to be able to have the appropriate facilities at Lord’s and we are extremely glad to be able to support the NHS and our community in this way.

"During the pandemic we have been able to provide amenities to local hospitals and we are eager to continue to assist wherever we can with the rollout of the vaccination programme.”

Dr Saul Kaufman, Clinical Director of St John’s Wood and Maida Vale Primary Care Network, said: "We’re delighted to have a centre of such an impressive size at Lord’s, which will help the smooth rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

"The team at Lord’s have been incredible to work with and this facility will enable healthcare staff to be able to administer a significant number of vaccinations, in a tremendous effort towards the inoculation programme, and to indeed, aiming to knock Covid for six.”    

To highlight the association with the iconic cricket ground and to bring the campaign to life, Dr Kaufman requested a favour from his friend, award-winning illustrator Peter Baynton, to create an illustration for the campaign, portraying a cricketer batting away the virus.