We’re pleased to let you know that all University of Reading students aged 18 to 24 are invited to attend a local ‘surge vaccination’ centre for a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination between now and 27 June. If you are currently living in Reading, we strongly encourage you to participate.

We’re working in partnership with Public Health England (PHE) and Wokingham Borough Council (WBC), who are currently offering ‘surge vaccinations’ for everyone aged 18 to 24 living in Wokingham Borough.

In addition to those living in Wokingham Borough, all University of Reading students aged 18 to 24 who have not had their first dose are eligible, including international students.

The vaccination centre is at Bulmershe Leisure Centre (Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, RG5 3EU), open now until Sunday 27 June. Opening hours are 09:30 to 20:30. Quiet times for the centre are between 12 and 3pm, and the queue for vaccines will close when the daily capacity is reached. The centre is located around 40 minutes’ walk from Whiteknights campus and is on the 13 and 19c Reading Bus routes. We anticipate more centres opening in the area in the coming days and will keep you updated.

You do not need to book an appointment but must take your Campus Card as proof you are a current University of Reading student. If you know your NHS number, please also bring this along –  you can use the ‘Find your NHS number’ function on the NHS website or download the ‘NHS Number’ app in your mobile app store. International students not registered with a GP can still attend.

If you are 21 or over, you can also now book your vaccine through the NHS.

• If you are living away from Reading:

The government has advised that it hopes to offer the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to all adults within the coming weeks. If you are not currently living in Reading, we recommend you wait until you can access the vaccine at a centre close to you. As mentioned above, if you are 21 or over, you can now book your vaccine through the NHS.

• If you are currently self-isolating:

If you are self-isolating due to having symptoms, testing positive, or being identified as a close contact, you must not break your self-isolation to visit one of the vaccination centres. Likewise, if you are in quarantine having travelled overseas, you must complete your full period of self-isolation before visiting a vaccination centre.

• If you have already had your first vaccine dose:

You will need to book your second dose through the NHS website. This ‘surge vaccination’ programme is for first doses of the vaccine only.

• If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 28 days:

If you have had a positive COVID-19 test, you should wait 28 days from the date you had the test before you get vaccinated.

Delay to lifting COVID-19 restrictions in the UK

The government’s recent decision to postpone Step 4 of restrictions lifting until at least 19 July means we need to be a little more patient before things can open up further.

Last week, we said we had received reports from members of the local community about large gatherings in student houses and elsewhere in the local area. We all need to treat our neighbours, fellow students and the wider community with respect as we collectively continue to do what we can to help ensure the government can lift restrictions safely.

Please remember, even once you have had one or both doses of the vaccine, you can still pass on the virus even if you don’t become ill. So it is really important that you still adhere to social distancing and other restrictions to minimise the risk of transmission and help the national effort to further lift restrictions.

If you have any questions at all, contact the COVID-19 Support & Behaviour Team at covid-support@reading.ac.uk.

We hope you take up the opportunity to get your first vaccination dose, if you are currently in Reading.

Best wishes,

Paddy

Dr Patricia (‘Paddy’) Woodman

Director of Student Services