Russell Group universities are working to help ramp up UK Covid vaccinations

20 January 2021

Russell Group universities are joining the nationwide effort to vaccinate the vulnerable and elderly by turning campus facilities into vaccination centres.

Scientists and researchers across the Russell Group of universities have already played a key part in the UK’s fight against Covid-19 with researchers at Oxford University helping to develop a leading Covid-19 vaccine (the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine). Alongside this, researchers have helped to find new lifesaving drugs, equipment, and methods of treatment. 

As the Government’s vaccination programme continues, universities are supporting by helping to set up new vaccination centres.  At the same time others have offered support in the shape of new community testing facilities.

The University of Nottingham is supporting the NHS Covid-19 vaccinations programme with two local vaccination services opening across its campuses and staff and students stepping up to help administer the vaccine to patients. One centre is based at the university’s King’s Meadow Campus, complementing the first university-supported vaccination site at Cripps Health Centre on University Park Campus.

The University of Manchester converted its former Chancellors Hotel site over Christmas into a vaccination centre, and will be setting up three additional centres in Beswick, Chorlton and Blackley, to support local communities outside the university.

Queen Mary University of London is providing space in its Arts Research Centre to vaccinate locals in Tower Hamlets. The university has worked with local health teams to prepare the space having previously led efforts in the creation and management of Nightingale hospitals. 

The University of Southampton is also hosting a local vaccination centre at its University Health Centre, having previously led clinical trials to help develop the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

Meanwhile the University of York is working with its City Council to offer free voluntary testing to people who have to go to work, including teachers and pupils and other essential workers, whether or not they are showing any symptoms (asymptomatic testing).  

For more information about the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, visit the Oxford Vaccine Hub.

Find out more about how our universities have been contributing to the fight against Covid-19 through research and supporting their local communities.  

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