A demonstration, said to be run by a group of 'anti-vaxxers' protesting against the Covid-19 vaccine, meant the vaccination centre at Frenchay's UWE (University of the West of England) campus had to close for the remainder of the day on Saturday, October 1. According to one person, who had arrived at around 10:45am for their own Covid booster jab, "hundreds were turned away".
They said: "We were told there was an anti-vax demo inside the building but could not see inside. A few demonstrators seemed to be outside on a cigarette break.
"The police and organisers on the door didn't seem to have any information other than being told not to let anyone in. The message from the frustrated queue was 'have a demonstration if you want one, but let us in to have our vaccination - no one is being forced to have a vaccination'.
Read more: New Covid symptom to watch for as another wave has begun
"Nothing was rescheduled. We have ourselves individually booked at a pharmacy today since we are not confident that UWE conference centre will be open, as it is supposed to be, for vaccination tomorrow and there is no guarantee that there would be space for us in any case." Following Saturday's closure, the next appointments for the Covid-19 jabs and boosters were set to take place tomorrow (Tuesday, October 4).
In a tweet at around 12:20pm on Saturday, following the closure, the Twitter account for 'NHS Bristol, N Somerset & S Gloucestershire ICB' (@BNSSG_ICB) posted a message which read: "Today's vaccination clinic at the Vaccination Centre @ UWE Bristol has closed for the rest of the day. The next vaccination clinic will be taking place there on Tuesday 4 October."
Another person took to Twitter to say: "Would have been helpful to cancel people's appointments so we didn't turn up - and so we can rebook a new appointment since its blocking me from doing that at the moment."
A spokesperson for NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, said: “We were disappointed to close Saturday’s vaccination clinic at The Vaccination Centre at UWE Bristol due to a disruption from anti-vaccination protesters. Staff and patients at the clinic were able to safely leave the premises and we’re grateful to police and security for their support.
“The Covid-19 Seasonal Autumn Booster programme is underway and we are busy vaccinating people at the highest risk from a Covid infection, including everyone aged 50 and over, and people aged 5 and over with underlying health conditions. We encourage people to check the Grab A Jab website for details of all the ways they can get vaccinated at www.grabajab.net.”
A video of the demonstration has since circulated online, and those involved in the demonstration have reportedly shared messages to Twitter to say they have provided the staff at UWE's vaccination centre with 'evidence' relating to the Covid-19 vaccine.
A spokesperson from Avon and Somerset Police said: “Officers were called to attend the NHS Vaccination Centre at UWE Bristol's Frenchay Campus on Saturday 1 October at around 10.40am, following reports of a protest involving around 12 people. Officers attended to facilitate a peaceful protest and to ensure the safety of all parties involved, working closely with the university's security team.
“A decision was made by the vaccination clinic organisers to close the centre at around 1pm, for the remainder of the day. At around 1.30pm, the protestors departed the site. No arrests were made.”
Read next:
- Bristol hospitals see number of Covid patients triple in a week
- Experts reveal most common Covid symptoms as cases increase again in England
- People urged not to ignore call to get a Covid booster jab
- One in 10 of us go to the gym to find love, not get fit
- Changes in sleep pattern could be sign of dementia, expert says
