Scottish football to aid vaccine roll-out with pop-up centres opening at stadiums acr

Clubs to sign-up to support COVID-19 vaccine programme, with players to receive doses ahead of new season

Scottish football’s Joint Response Group has worked in partnership with Scottish Government to provide pop-up vaccination centres at football clubs across the country that will help encourage everyone – particularly under-30s – to get vaccinated.

The JRG has written to senior clubs to inform them of the opportunity, which can be facilitated through the respective health boards.

Almost 4m Scots have received their first dose of vaccination, with almost 3m having received a double dose to combat COVID-19. With the programme now targeting 18 to 29-year olds, Scottish football has agreed to play its part in spreading the message to younger members of society while at the same time ensuring their players – who are largely representative of the new age cohort currently being vaccinated – can synchronise their first and second vaccination doses on-site.

The pop-up vaccination centres will use an area of the stadium car park or stadium itself and the Scottish Government is keen to utilise the significant reach football clubs have in their communities.

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive: “We have been engaged in dialogue with Scottish Government throughout the pandemic but in recent weeks, as the vaccination is rolled-out to younger members of society, we identified an opportunity to put the national game at the heart of the roll-out by encouraging younger people to get their vaccines using the players, who are role models in their respective communities, as advocates. With the new season soon to get under way, the pop-up vaccine centres also enable clubs to align the vaccination of their players efficiently, which in turn will help provide a greater degree of confidence and certainty ahead of the new season. We would encourage clubs to take up this opportunity and urge everyone – especially those now eligible between 18 and 29 – to get vaccinated to make sure we can get back together, in football stadia and in everyday life.”

Humza Yousaf, Health Secretary: “We’re now offering vaccinations to all over 18s and we’re making it as easy as possible. The pop-up vaccination centres available to football clubs via their local health boards will help us reach the younger groups we are currently vaccinating – but of course, any adult who hasn’t had their first or second dose will be welcome. Players and staff from Scottish football clubs will, of course, also be able to get vaccinated – many of their players fall into the age bracket of those now being offered the vaccination.”


Find more information about the drop-in vaccination clinics in your local NHS Board area by visiting the NHS inform website - https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-...rop-in-clinics - or by calling the Covid-19 vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.