Blackburn Rovers support for vaccine drive continues

Blackburn Rovers joined the thousands across the borough vaccinated against Covid-19 when players and staff from the club visited the Cathedral vaccine centre to get their jabs this week.

And ahead of their first Championship game of the season tomorrow (Saturday, August 7th) – which will see the return of fans to Ewood Park for a first league game in 18 months – the club have made plans to continue their support for the local vaccination programme.

Rovers will display graphics inside the ground before and during the game against Swansea inviting fans to come forward for their jab. The images featuring goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski, defender Daniel Ayala and U23s player Jared Harlock will be displayed on the screen in the ground.

The messaging on the graphics will invite people to ‘join the thousands in the borough already vaccinated.’

The club will continue to work with NHS and Council partners, exploring opportunities to further promote the vaccination programme together.

Blackburn Rovers Chief Executive, Steve Waggott, said:

We were grateful to Blackburn with Darwen Council and local representatives of both the NHS and Public Health England for taking time out of their busy schedules to assist in the vaccination of members of our first team and U23s squads.

Evidence shows there are fewer young people taking up the vaccine and the players fit into those harder-to-reach age groups.

As a club we were able to sell the benefits of receiving the vaccine, such as a reduced chance of transmission to teammates and reduced risk of isolation post-August 16th.

It’s crucial, as we commence the start of the 2021-22 season, that we have a full squad available to the manager and take every opportunity to protect every player and member of staff.

With Blackburn having been at the centre of local lockdowns for the best part of 18 months, it is crucial that we all play our part in helping the local area get back to a normal way of life and every vaccine taken is a small step closer to that goal.

Dominic Harrison, Director of Public Health, added:

I’m really grateful that Rovers have facilitated the vaccination of players as part of the current roll out to younger aged groups across the UK.

Covid rates are declining for now which is great news but we know, of those infected, the highest case rates are in those aged 10-24 years old. Vaccination will protect younger people from long Covid effects and keep both them and all of us safe from future lockdown risks.

Vaccination will also allow younger people to fully participate in social events which in the near future may require evidence of being double jabbed.

There are really good reasons now to get the jab. My advice to everyone who can is join the thousands already vaccinated, don’t miss out and get the Covid Jab as soon as you can.

Jane Scattergood, Covid-19 Vaccination Director for Lancashire and South Cumbria, said:

All adults are now eligible so please come forward. We are inviting everyone over 18 to bring their second dose appointment forward to eight weeks to ensure everyone has the strongest possible protection as soon as possible.

The Covid vaccines are two-dose vaccines so you must have both doses for maximum benefit and protection to you, your friends, and your family. Remember – it’s a game to two halves – you need both doses. Do the double, be a champion and let’s beat this virus together.