Operation Primark: Drive to jab Generation X in pop-up vaccine hubs at The Oval, city parks – and even their favourite high street fashion store

• Primark converted the changing areas at its Bristol store to a walk-in jab centre
• The number of people getting their first jab in England has been slowing
• Official figures show just 67,956 Covid-19 vaccinations were recorded on Friday

A Primark store transformed its changing rooms into a ‘grab a jab’ clinic yesterday in a bid to reverse a slowdown in vaccination among young people.

Pop-up centres were opened in shops, parks and stadiums across the country to encourage young people to get the Covid vaccine as health chiefs expressed concerns about jab hesitancy.

Primark converted the changing areas at its store in Bristol’s Broadmead shopping centre into a walk-in vaccination centre, attracting more than 100 people.

Laura Simpkins, one of those who received their first dose, urged others to follow suit, saying: ‘They made me feel so at ease and I recommend everyone to get it. ‘I know you’re nervous but it’s a piece of cake.’

Pop-up centres were opened in shops, parks and stadiums across the country to encourage young people to get the Covid vaccine as health chiefs expressed concerns about jab hesitancy

Andrea Maria Brighenti, 23, said: ‘It was really easy – having the clinic in Primark was a great idea.’

In London, long queues for Covid jabs formed in Camden Market and at the Oval cricket ground where the vaccinated were entered into a raffle to win tickets for England’s upcoming Test match against India. A pop-up clinic was also set up on Wandsworth Common.

Sam Guiness, 23, who was given his first dose, said: ‘My mum has been telling me to get it done for a month but I’ve been too lazy. I’ve got a holiday in eight weeks to Greece so thought I needed to get it done.’

The Open golf at Sandwich in Kent, where 30,000 spectators were expected this weekend, was also among the venues hosting vaccination drives.

The number of people getting their first jab in England has been slowing in recent weeks – with official figures showing just 67,956 vaccinations recorded on Friday.

An NHS chief in London last week warned colleagues that activity had ‘plummeted’ and ‘vaccination centres are only really operating to about 30 per cent of their capacity, because that’s the people who are turning up’.

Some 57 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds have had their first dose in England, but that varies from 52 per cent in London to 62 per cent in the East.

Zoe Souchard, 39, who went to the pop-up clinic in Wandsworth, said: ‘It was super easy, I just walked straight in. We’ve got a street WhatsApp group and that’s how I heard about it.’

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