London club Heaven gives out 1000 Covid jabs on vaccination day

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London club Heaven gave out 1,000 COVID-19 jabs on Sunday 8th August amid growing concerns about the low vaccination uptake among young people in the UK. 

The legendary LGTBQI+ Charing Cross venue — home to institution parties such as G-A-Y and Popcorn — opened its doors to both pre-bookings and walk-in appointments. 

Effectively turning the club into a vaccination centre, the move forms part of a wider push by nightlife figures and organisations to help promote the inoculation drive. The idea is to encourage more young people to get their jabs. Industry bodies LIVE and Safer Sounds are also behind the move, with DJs such as Carl Cox throwing their weight behind the message.

Despite the UK government already announcing that “from the end of September” two doses of an approved vaccine will be needed to gain entry into clubs and other venues, just 67% of 18-29-year-olds had received their first dose before this weekend. There have also been unverified reports of plans to make full inoculation a condition of entry for university halls of residence and face-to-face lectures, adding urgency to the so-called ‘race’. 

“It is important we all do our bit and encourage each other to get vaccinated — not just because you might soon need a vaccine passport to enter nightclubs, but because we want everyone to party safely,” said Jeremy Joseph, owner of Heaven. 

“We can’t wait to get everyone back through our doors to experience the best that live music has to offer, which is why we’re supporting the campaign to get young people double vaccinated,” said Greg Parmley, CEO of LIVE (Live music, Industry, Venues, and Entertainment). “Vaccine take-up will ensure that, along with the existing measures in place such as ventilation, we can all enjoy music events safely this summer.” 

Another London nightlife mainstay, Ministry of Sound, will be offering jabs this coming weekend. Meanwhile, Berlin club Arena has three ‘vaccination parties’ this week, on Monday 9th, Wednesday 11th, and Friday 13th August with Nick Höppner, Tama Sumo, Henning Baer and Sammy Dee all due to play while doses are administered.