Residents are now able to walk up to a centre in North West London and get their vaccine if they are are eligible to get the jab.

There is no need to book an appointment at a mass vaccination centre for your first vaccine if you fall in to the categories of people able to get their first dose. Residents are encouraged to book a test because walk-ups do not guarantee a vaccination slot because they are operated on a first come, first served basis.

Residents in the following categories are reminded to bring proof of identity, proof of address and their NHS number:

• Aged 45 or over on or before 30 March 2021
• At a high risk from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• Have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
• Have a learning disability
• Are an eligible frontline health or social care worker
• Get a Carer’s Allowance, get support following an assessment by your local authority or your GP record shows you are a carer.

The walk-up service is only available at mass vaccination centres in north west London, a list of which can be found here. These centres are open 9am to 7pm daily.

‘Get it done’

Getting the vaccine is the best way of protecting yourself and others against COVID-19 and in order to encourage others to get theirs, we caught up with local people who have had or are planning to have theirs.

Chloe is a local student and has had both doses of her AstraZeneca vaccine. She said: “Didn’t really get any side effects, perfectly fine. I was in work the next day and yeah, now it means I can go back to normal really. Before I was really scared that I was going to catch it, I wouldn’t be going to see my friends, but since I’ve had the vaccinations I’ve been doing that.”

When asked if she would encourage others to get their vaccine she said: “Get it done. You’ll be a lot safer, there is a lot less risks, there is less side effects of things if you do catch it. It is just 100 times better if you get it all around.”

‘It is important we all get covered’

Joanna, an Acton resident who has been recovering after cancer, said: “For people like myself, we were very badly compromised. It’s (the vaccine) a life saver. After all of this lockdown and having to shield, it is just wonderful to have some kind of security. So, I am immensely grateful to all the people who are looking after us and helping us, it is wonderful.

“Vaccines have been with us for all of my lifespan and previous generations. The new ones (vaccines) are invented as the need is. they have rescued our lives and if we look at real statistics and proportions it is just a good thing to do and important that we all get covered.”

Helping yourself and helping others

Monzir is 19 and is currently working as a steward at the Dominion Centre. He has not had his vaccine yet, but will as soon as he can. He said: “I think it is going to feel pretty good, because I am going to be able to actually go out, meet my friends, go and watch movies and stuff like this.

“If you get it … and you go out with your friends, you have less risk of catching COVID-19. Also, some people don’t go out because they are worried about the elderly, they have people in their family with underlying health conditions. So, what you are actually doing is not only helping yourself, but you are helping those around you as well.”

‘Definitely, definitely get the vaccine’

Baldeep is a medical student who has had both doses of her vaccine said: “Very happy with them both, didn’t really have any symptoms and I am only 23, so I was quite pleased with the way it turned out. I did come here (Dominion Centre) to have my first vaccine and I loved the way it was laid out, it was quite helpful, and I thought everyone was gentle and they were very helpful.

“It was very nice, I thought I can have some freedom. I’m a bit closer to not catching the virus so I just feel a bit more at ease and I am able to go out now, especially with the lockdown restrictions opening up, it helps a lot. I feel a bit safer going in to the hospital where I work, coming in here and meeting so many different people, you know, just going down to the bar last week, it was amazing.

“Definitely, definitely get the vaccine. It just means we can all step out and be closer together.”

‘Go, get it’

Eimear is a student and has had both doses of her vaccine, she said: “It was a lot of confusion when I first went in to lockdown as I was at university and so I was rushing back to get to London because I was in Southampton at the time. There was so much up in the air, like ‘what is happening next? What do I do? What is going on with my course?’. But, then it quietened down and it was actually this year I started volunteering here and was off offered the vaccine. It was a definite ‘yes!’

“It helps so many people just having it. It means I don’t need to worry about having it (COVID-19) and I know I am a lot more secure. I am not going to pass it on to anyone.

“Go, get it. Unless you have a medical reason – go, get it. It is worth it. You are protecting everyone who is around you in your life. Not just yourself. Anyone who is medically unable to get the vaccine – you are protecting them.”