“It’s worked really well”. 

That’s what the NHS chief in charge of setting up Reading Festival’s vaccination centre said about how the facility has been received by campers. 

The pop-up service has been located near the main entrance to the festival arena since campers started arriving on Wednesday, August 25. 

READ MORE: Live updates from Reading Festival 

Jabbers have been handing out vaccines to any camper who is eligible as well as festival staff. 

Leslie Madejski, who is the senior clinical lead for the vaccination programme, told the Chronicle about how the clinic has been received over the festival weekend. 

Reading Chronicle:

She said: “We all know the last 18 months have been really difficult and we felt it was important to have a presence at the festival, not just to vaccinate but to educate around COVID and to educate around vaccines and that’s why we set something up. 

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“We have a brilliant relationship with Festival Republic who’ve helped us and support from the CCG, who were very keen for us to do something. 

“It’s worked really well. They [the jabbers] have been really busy vaccinating people, and a lot of people are looking to get their vaccines tomorrow [Monday].

Reading Chronicle:

A teenager gets her covid vaccine at the Reading Festival clinic. Image via PA. 

“There was a lot of education that went on the first few days around why we’re there, why you should get the vaccine. 

“We thought it would get busier as the weekend went on and that’s exactly what’s happened. 

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“People were seeking that education about why it was important to have the vaccine and what the risks were if they don’t have the vaccine. 

“So we’ve done lots of education and some people have said ‘I’m definitely going to get the vaccine when I get home as obviously there are a lot of people who aren’t local to Reading. 

“We’ve also been working in partnership with our colleagues in Leeds who’ve done Leeds Festival and there was a presence at Latitude as well. 

“We’ve been vaccinating all over Reading as well, and now there’s consideration of immunising the younger population there will be more opportunities to get into the community. 

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“The Broad Street Mall [vaccination centre] is open every day and we are doing walk-ins for 16-year-olds. 

“I think it’s really important for young people to have their jabs before they go back to school. 

“We’ve had a good relationship with everybody who’s been there. 

“They’re a great group of people who are attending the festival, they’re so happy to be out and about finally. 

“Festival Republic has done everything they can to make it as safe as possible.”