Vaccine chic: Tate Modern is transformed into NHS jab centre for one night only with Pfizer doses administered while a DJ spins records
The home of English rugby, a historic 13th Century cathedral and the famous Epsom Downs Race Course have so far topped the list of 'unusual' sites playing host to Covid vaccination centres.
But now a new venue has entered the race - London's Tate Modern. Britons tonight lined up at the famous gallery to get their Covid vaccine while surrounded by priceless pieces of art.
Vaccinators set up in the venue's Turbine Hall this evening, giving out Pfizer jabs between 5pm and 9pm today.
As an extra incentive, while vaccinators have been dishing out jabs, a DJ has been spinning records to help keep people occupied while they wait.
Thousands are expected to receive their first or second jabs at the one-day only event tonight. The event is open to anyone over the age of 18.
Britons tonight lined up at the famous Tate Modern gallery to get their Covid vaccine while surrounded by priceless pieces of art
The gallery's Turbine Hall was today converted into a mass vaccination centre as the Government looks to get young people jabbed ahead of July 19
Vaccinators set up in the venue's Turbine Hall this evening, giving out Pfizer jabs between 5pm and 9pm today
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Britons tonight lined up at the famous Tate Modern gallery to get their Covid vaccine while surrounded by priceless pieces of art
Hundreds were seen walking into the arts venue today as part of a one-day Covid vaccine clinic taking place from 5pm to 9pm
As an extra incentive, while vaccinators have been dishing out jabs, a DJ has been spinning records to help keep people occupied while they wait
Thousands are expected to receive their first or second jabs at the one-day only event tonight. The event is open to anyone over the age of 18
People queuing for their vaccinations at an NHS pop-up vaccination centre at the Tate Modern art gallery in London
People were given Pfizer vaccines - both first or second jabs - at the event at the Tate Modern earlier today
Thousands of people are expected to get a jab at the Tate Modern today as part of a special one-day pop up event
It is all part of the NHS 'grab a jab' initiative. The mass inoculation drive is aimed at boosting vaccine uptake among the young ahead of Freedom Day on July 19, when the majority of coronavirus restrictions are set to be lifted
Figures show that more than a third of young adults in England have not had a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine - despite the NHS opening up its vaccine roll-out to all adults over the age of 18 last month
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, was one of those to attend the event today. He said in a statement: 'With restrictions set to be lifted on Monday, it's absolutely crucial we do everything we can to make the jab available to as many Londoners as possible.
'We are already seeing the big difference the vaccine is making in our fight against the virus.'
Along with the even at the Tate Modern this evening, vaccines will also be rolled out at the Open Championship at St George's Hill Golf Club.
So-called 'vaccine caddies' will be giving out jabs to those eligible among the 30,000 fans expected to attend the event in Sandwich, Kent. It is all part of the NHS 'grab a jab' initiative.
The mass inoculation drive is aimed at boosting vaccine uptake among the young ahead of Freedom Day on July 19, when the majority of coronavirus restrictions are set to be lifted.
Figures show that more than a third of young adults in England have not had a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine - despite the NHS opening up its vaccine roll-out to all adults over the age of 18 last month.
To encourage more young people to get a vaccine, shoppers will be able to grab-a-jab at selected Primark shops this weekend.
Shops included in the scheme are Broadmead Shopping Centre, Bristol, and at the Trinity retail centre in Leeds.
Dr Nikki Kanani, the NHS medical director for primary care, said of the push to encourage more jabs: 'You can pop into Primark, enjoy the sun in the park, and explore the art at the Tate, while also protecting yourself and your loved ones by getting a vaccine this weekend.
To encourage more young people to get a vaccine, shoppers will be able to grab-a-jab at selected Primark shops this weekend. Pictured: Vaccinators at the Tate Modern
Dr Nikki Kanani, the NHS medical director for primary care, said of the push to encourage more jabs: 'You can pop into Primark, enjoy the sun in the park, and explore the art at the Tate, while also protecting yourself and your loved ones by getting a vaccine this weekend.'
'From high street shops to mosques and sports grounds, our incredible staff together with our wonderful volunteers are doing all they can to make sure it is easier than ever for people, particularly young adults, to get protected'
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, was one of those to attend the event at the Tate Modern on the Southbank today
He said in a statement: 'With restrictions set to be lifted on Monday, it's absolutely crucial we do everything we can to make the jab available to as many Londoners as possible'
In a statement, Mr Khan said: 'We are already seeing the big difference the vaccine is making in our fight against the virus.'
'From high street shops to mosques and sports grounds, our incredible staff together with our wonderful volunteers are doing all they can to make sure it is easier than ever for people, particularly young adults, to get protected.'
Dr Kanani added: 'We have made phenomenal progress so far, as part of the biggest and fastest vaccination programme in our history, with more than half of people aged 18 to 29 having already had their first vaccine and over 29 million adults have received vital protection.
'As we approach 19 July, there has never been a more important time to get your first vaccine, it not only protects you and your family but also your friends and those around you.'
While millions of Britons have received their jabs in GPs and other venues such as Boots stores, others have received their jabs in spectacular venues.
Last month, Twickenham rugby stadium opened its doors for a day to thousands of Britons who queued for hours to get a Covid jab.
Salisbury Cathedral also hosted a Covid vaccine centre, while Epsom Downs Race Course also jabbed thousands of Britons over a four month stint as a jab clinic.
It comes as Britain's daily coronavirus cases breached 50,000 today for the first time since the depths of the second wave in January, amid warnings that another lockdown could be just around the corner.
Department of Health figures show the number of positive tests (51,870) has risen by 45 per cent in a week.
Hospitalisations and deaths are now both rising steadily following the ferocious surge in cases, which top experts blamed on the relaxation of restrictions and Euro 2020.
Fatalities jumped by two-thirds in a week as another 49 victims were added to the Government's official toll. And admissions have hit their highest level since March, with 717 infected patients needing medical treatment on July 12, the most recent day figures are available for.
But there are signs that pressure on hospitals may be slowing down even though the crisis is still unfolding, with the week-on-week growth having fallen slightly for five days in a row.
However, pressure on the NHS will continue to get worse over the next few weeks as cases have yet to show any signs of slowing. Analysts tracking the health service's battle say the current figures are already outpacing some of SAGE's worst-case scenarios.
Vaccines have already saved thousands of lives since the third wave began, drastically slashing the proportion of infected patients who are left seriously ill. But jabs aren't perfect, and admissions will continue to track upwards in line with infections.
Major hospitals have already had to cancel operations to cope with the third wave, while one in South Tyneside — the country's Covid hotspot — has begged staff to cancel holidays and offered a £250 bonus in order to fight the impending summer crisis.
Office for National Statistics data — based on swab testing of thousands of people — released today revealed an estimated one in 33 people were infected with the virus in Manchester last week. The rate nationally stood at one in 95.
With cases still surging across the country, there are fears the 'pingdemic' chaos will only get worse. MailOnline analysis suggests in a worst-case scenario around six million adults could be in isolation by the end of the month.
And a minister today warned Britain will 'of course' face a new lockdown if Covid's third wave hits 'unacceptable' levels. Solicitor General Lucy Frazer said it was the right time to open up because of the success of the vaccine drive — which has reached 90 per cent of Britons.
But with cases continuing to soar, she warned No10 may be left with no choice but to consider reimposing tough restrictions. Ms Frazer said: 'Of course, if we get into a situation where it is unacceptable and we do need to put back further restrictions, then that of course is something the Government will look at.'