Munira Wilson visited The Stoop, home to Harlequins, yesterday as the rugby ground opened its doors as a coronavirus vaccination centre.

The new hub adds significant additional vaccination capacity to serve the communities of Twickenham, Teddington, Whitton, St Margarets, the Hamptons and beyond, delivering some 500 jabs per day, with the possibility to expand capacity at a later date.

This comes after the stadium operated as a site for plasma and blood donation earlier in the pandemic.

Munira and Harlequins CEO, Laurie Dalrymple, were shown around the site by NHS staff.

Following her visit to The Stoop, Munira said:

"Whilst The Stoop is unable to welcome spectators due to the pandemic, I am delighted that it remains at the centre of our local community by opening as a vaccination hub, having previously operated for plasma and blood donation.

"With ample space and parking, it is a convenient and safe addition to the many GP vaccination hubs already operating right across the area and I am really grateful to Quins for stepping up at this critical time for our country, and to the NHS for their tireless work in bringing together such a slick operation so quickly.

"Vaccination is absolutely key to saving lives and helping us slowly return as close to normality as possible in the coming months. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and have been rigorously tested. As soon as people are contacted by the NHS for their jab, I urge them to make and attend their appointments."

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