{"id":9870,"date":"2021-08-10T06:00:07","date_gmt":"2021-08-10T05:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/?p=9870"},"modified":"2021-08-05T15:26:07","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T14:26:07","slug":"pop-up-vaccination-centres-at-major-sporting-events-a-valuable-addition-to-the-armoury-capturing-a-difficult-demographic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/2021\/08\/10\/pop-up-vaccination-centres-at-major-sporting-events-a-valuable-addition-to-the-armoury-capturing-a-difficult-demographic\/","title":{"rendered":"Pop-up vaccination centres at major sporting events \u2013 a valuable addition to the armoury, capturing a difficult demographic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe Open\u201d Golf – a successful example<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In the midst of this pandemic it has long been realised that vaccination was the only viable exit from \u2018lockdown\u2019 and\/or interminable cont\"\"act tracing and local shutdown.<\/span>2<\/sup> Indeed as well as preventing hospitalisation and death, double vaccination significantly reduces the chance of Long Covid in all age groups.<\/span>3 <\/sup>The UK, as a world leader in vaccine invention and production<\/span>4\u00a0 <\/sup>has mounted a remarkable programme with stepwise capture of tiered risk categories and essential workers.<\/span>2 <\/sup>\u00a0By 28<\/span>th<\/sup> July this had covered 88% (1<\/span>st<\/sup> dose) and 71% (2 doses) of the adult population and over 99% of the \u2018particularly vulnerable\u2019. More recently it has been offered to younger age groups where there remains a significant gender gap with males proving to be more difficult to capture<\/span>5<\/sup> (social media pressure, mixed risk messaging). The latter have not altered but it has become increasingly obvious that travel and concerts\/ festivals and even \u201cThe Open\u201d itself would become dominated by Covid certification<\/span>6 <\/sup>and tempting relevant vaccinees away from their busy lives might prove productive. This is particularly true of young elite sportsmen whose constant travelling and anxiety concerning vaccine side-effects, have hampered their access to vaccination.<\/span><\/p>\n

An emergency plan driven by the national situation came to fruition when a local provider (Kent & Medway CCG\u2019s Thanet Primary Care Vaccination Consortium)7<\/sup> set up a vaccination centre at the entrance to this major sporting event – hosting up to 32,000 spectators a day. Very clear signage, event messaging and an enviable location served to highlight the availability and an innovative recruitment mechanism maximised numbers. Fig1&2\u00a0 <\/sup>The latter \u2018high vis clerks\u2019 offered immediate advice (vaccine availability(Pfizer\/AstraZeneca) \/second dose timing) and then booked immediate vaccination or a later \u2018e\u2019 appointment. Vaccinees were identified via NIMS and entered on the PINNACLE vaccination system and gave oral informed(leaflet) consent with appropriate allergy safeguards. They were finally seated for a full 15mins after vaccination for recovery, next to the Event Medical Centre.<\/p>\n

1635 individuals were vaccinated, 84% male and 96% under 40 years of age (Pfizer), 8%\u00a0 for 1st<\/sup> dose and a huge 92% the final 2nd<\/sup>. Older AstraZeneca\u2019s (4%) were all 2nd<\/sup> dose. There were no observed serious acute allergic reactions but a handful of patients had vasovagal responses and were placed appropriately on ground beds for recovery. 61 caddies and players were also \u2018captured\u2019 on 2 of the championship days, making up an important pressure group who added to the positive messaging available across the venue and local press.8<\/sup><\/p>\n

A significant number of younger people were able to be vaccinated, much to their surprise and acclimation. The siting, labelling\/messaging and efficiency of capture were clearly major influences on recruitment and hence these numbers. It was clearly an opportunity to access a group that were normally hemmed in by their work and busy lives and continues the vital work of protecting the young even though their true \u2018risk of harm\u2019 has been found to be substantially lower than vulnerable older age groups.<\/span><\/p>\n

The players (our sporting icons) and their caddies made highly visible and valuable PR in subsequent press releases and coverage8<\/sup> , a potentially positive example and influence against any vaccine negativity.<\/p>\n

Anecdotal stories spoke of:<\/p>\n