First Published on 11 January 2022
It was one year ago today that Newham Stratford's Westfield Vaccination Centre opened its doors to the first visitor, and since then the staff have administered the vaccination to over 190,000 people.
Twenty vaccinators are on site today, and are ready to get to work from 8.30 am until 6.00 pm every evening, seven days a week. They are supported by a further fifty-five staff, ranging from qualified nurses and doctors, through to administrators, managers, trainees, domestic staff and security.
Each and every one are absolutely essential to ensure that the centre works safely and efficiently at all times.
Over nineteen languages are spoken by staff across the centre - so if you know anyone that would like to speak to a member of staff in their native tongue, the likelihood is that they can support! Language spoken include Mandarin, Cantonese, German, Spanish, Greek, Dutch, Turkish, Bengali, Gujarati, Italian, Hindi, French, Tamil, Portuguese, Croatian, Swahili, Gaelic, Russian and Yoruba.
During the summer and lockdown periods the centre was gifted with ten St. John's Ambulance volunteers and at present 5 SJA staff work there every week. Up to ten staff that work for the HMRC have also supported, and the British Army have also answered the call.
Some of the busiest days over the last year have seen the site work to the full capacity of 1,500 vaccines being administered.
The London Mayor's Visit
Some other highlights for the staff over the year have included a visit from the Mayor of London and the Government Vaccine's Minister. The staff were delighted that the London Mayor took out the time to meet the staff and find out more about them. He said that "one day you will look back on pride at having played such an important role in helping to protect so many people."
The Vaccine Centre staff also played a key role in helping to organise and support the Mass Vaccine Stadium Event in 2021, which took place at the Stratford Olympic Stadium.
'Immensely proud'
Reflecting on her leadership role at the centre over the last year, Vaccine Centre Manager Janette Clark said:
"I am immensely proud of the whole team. They came together at short notice, both seasoned NHS staff and new recruits, got stuck in and bonded well.
Everyone works hard to get the job done and focus on the important priority of delivering life-saving vaccines safely and efficiently.
And we remain open for business! If you haven't been vaccinated or had your booster yet - book an appointment or walk right in today, no appointment necessary.
The vaccine remains the safest and most effective way to protect yourself against coronavirus, as well as protect each and every person you come into contact on a daily basis."
Thank you to Volunteers and Estates staff
ELFT's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Paul Gilluley said:
"What a milestone. There isn't much to celebrate about what has been a truly awful year for too many people, but the fact that our staff have made such a massive contribution to the national effort to get the country vaccinated is incredible.
"Thank you to all the staff who work so hard to keep the vaccine centre running every day, and that includes all the people behind the scenes, including our incredible estates staff, who are often the unsung, hardworking dedicated heroes.
"And of course everyone that answered the call and came to volunteer at the centre, especially our friends from St. John Ambulance, who have given up their time and energy freely, for the benefit of the whole community.
"We are forever in your debt."
There are hundreds of venues and pop up centres available across the whole of North East London for you to get vaccinated. See where they all are here: https://www.eastlondonhcp.nhs.uk/ourplans/where-to-get-vaccinated-in-north-east-london.htm