MCC welcomed Oliver Dowden to Lord’s to tour the vaccination centre at the Home of Cricket as part of his thanks to the wider culture, media and sports sectors for their help in the vaccine roll-out to date. 

The minister met MCC Chief Executive & Secretary Guy Lavender for the tour that was led by Dr Saul Kaufman, Clinical Director of St John’s Wood and Maida Vale Primary Care Network.

MCC worked with local healthcare representatives to convert a space at Lord’s where the local community can receive their inoculations. The healthcare campaign “Aiming to knock Covid for 6” was created to encourage vaccinations and give a special welcome to those coming to the Ground.

The visit by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is part of a wider campaign to reach those over 70 who have not received a jab to come forward. The campaign is backed by prominent sporting legends including Sir Geoff Hurst, Roy Hodgson, Ann Jones, and cricket’s own David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd.

Guy Lavender, Chief Executive & Secretary of MCC, said: “We are extremely glad to be able to support the NHS and our local community by opening up the Ground and providing these facilities. We haven’t been able to offer cricket or the usual activities of our Club, to our Members and supporters, so to use a part of the Ground in such a positive way is very heartening.”

"Sports have played a magnificent role in helping us fight this virus, from hosting test centres, to providing food to frontline workers"

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Sports have played a magnificent role in helping us fight this virus, from hosting test centres, to providing food to frontline workers, to calling older fans at risk of loneliness. And now venues such as Lord’s are helping deliver the biggest and fastest vaccination programme in Britain’s history.”

Dr Saul Kaufman, Clinical Director of St John’s Wood and Maida Vale Primary Care Network, said: “We were delighted to welcome Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden to the site to see first-hand the centre we’ve created at Lord’s and the incredible work of the healthcare staff, volunteers, and those at Lord’s. We’ve been able to administer significant numbers of vaccines each day, all helping in the fight against this terrible virus.” 

During his visit the Culture Secretary urged anyone aged 70 and over who has not yet been vaccinated to contact the NHS by visiting www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or calling 119 to arrange a jab.

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