Londoners struggling to choose between an injection of culture and messenger RNA this weekend are in for a treat, as this Friday from 5-9pm the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern will host a walk-in Covid vaccination clinic. It will offer first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine (although Tate Moderna clearly has a better ring to it) to anyone over the age of 18. A minimum of eight weeks is required between your first and second jab. No identification is required, nor do you need to be registered with a GP to access the service.
Visitors to the pop-up clinic will also receive refreshments free of charge and discounts in Tate Modern's retail and catering outlets. And of course, they will be able to visit the museum's ticketed exhibitions as well as its free displays, featuring Vax-tract Expressionists such as Jab-son Pollock and UK favourites like Corona-elia Parker.
The UK's race to vaccinate its population is ramping up as the proposed date to end Covid restrictions looms, despite spiking infection rates across the nation. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, 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."
Frances Morris, the director of Tate Modern, said: “Friday evening’s pop-up vaccine centre in the Turbine Hall will help hundreds of people protect themselves, their friends and their families, as well as being able to enjoy exclusive access to our galleries for the night. I hope as many people as possible take up this opportunity and book now.”