The army has arrived at a football stadium to set up Britain’s first mass coronavirus vaccination programme.
Troops have been spotted at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol to prepare the site to be ready to vaccinate tens of thousands of people.
NHS bosses have said people in Bristol could receive a vaccine – though none have been approved by regulators yet – as early as Monday next week, starting with over-50s and key workers.
The vaccination trial will be administered by the North Bristol NHS Trust but the logistics of getting thousands of people into and out of the venue are being managed by the military.
The first contingent of army logistics officers were seen arriving at the stadium on Monday morning to begin the conversion.
The stadium’s mass vaccination operation will be running 12 hours a day. With its large indoor concourse spaces, large car park and convenient location, it is seen as an ideal venue. It was also used as a testing site earlier in the pandemic.
Read More: Army arrive at Bristol stadium for COVID vaccine roll-out ‘due to start next week’
