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Roll up for your vaccine as pop-up clinic comes to the circus

Jabs as well as jugglers will be among the attractions this weekend as the circus becomes one of a host of vaccine sites across England in a bid to boost uptake.

One of the leaders for England’s vaccination programme urged people to roll up their sleeves and take the chance to “protect yourself and your loved ones”.

Visitors to the Circus Extreme in Halifax, Yorkshire, on Saturday will be able to grab a jab.

The pop-up clinic will be just outside the Big Top so even people who do not have tickets to the show will still be able to get their vaccine.

Football fans can get vaccinated at Burnley FC, where a pop-up site will be administering doses of Pfizer, while jabs will be on offer on Saturday at Goodwood Racecourse near Chichester.

In west London, a vaccine bus will be stationed at the Summer of Love Festival in Holland Park, while in the east of the city a four-day vaccine festival is running in Poplar until Monday, with live music and free food.

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and deputy lead for NHS England’s vaccination programme, said: “From festivals to farm shops, circus tents and stadiums, NHS teams are working hard to set up vaccine clinics at a huge range of popular locations, all with the aim of getting as many people vaccinated as possible.

“So roll up that sleeve and grab your jab at one of the many walk-in sites open this weekend – it remains the best way to protect yourself and your loves ones.”

All adults in England have been able to book a first dose since June 18, but the latest figures show that nearly a third of young adults (aged 18 to 29) in the country have still not had one.

As of July 28, 39.2 million first doses had been delivered in England – the equivalent of 88.2% of the adult population.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The NHS is making it easy as possible for people to get their jab with new vaccination centres opening everywhere from festivals to football grounds.

“If you’re eligible for your first or second dose, come forward this weekend and protect not only yourself, but your loved ones and your community.”

People can visit the nhs.uk website to book an appointment or find vaccine sites in their area.