Allum Hall hands out more than 100,000 Covid vaccinations

Ali Selvi, 36, from Potters Bar received the 100,000 vaccine at Allum Hall in Borehamwood in December.

The hall was converted into a vaccination clinic in early 2021 and it has played a pivotal role in keeping communities safe from the virus.

An army of medical staff and volunteers have spent the last year caring and catering for patients both inside and outside the hall with thousands of people walking through the door.

Ali Selvi and staff at Allum Hall

Scroll down for a latest look at the number of Covid cases in Borehamwood and Hertsmere

Dr Bob Clarke gave the 100,000th jab at Allum Hall to father-of-two Mr Selvi, who said: "This booster means I’m protecting myself, my family and everyone else.

"When I was invited to make an appointment I decided to book the next available appointment and I’m so happy I did it."

Long-serving volunteer Fiona, who registered Mr Selvi for the landmark jab, said: "I’ve never done anything so rewarding. I’ve helped patients from all walks of life, young and old. I feel honoured and privileged."

Ali Selvi

Allum Hall, which recently received visits from Elstree & Borehamwood town mayor Cllr Farida Turner and Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden, is next open for vaccinations on Sunday January 16 from 9.30am until 3pm.

Bookings can be made online or patients can just walk in. Visit the national booking website for alternative clinics in the Borehamwood area before this date.

Elstree & Borehamwood town mayor Cllr Farida Turner at Allum Hall vaccination clinic in December

At a press conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people are "dying needlessly" because they are not properly vaccinated against Covid-19.

England's chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty said booster doses provide 88 per cent of "overall protection against being hospitalised", as the Omicron variant, along with Delta, continues to spread.

Mr Johnson said the latest record Covid case figures showed those who believed the pandemic to be over were "profoundly wrong", and although he said Omicron is "milder" than other variants, he warned hospital admissions are "rising quickly".

(left to right) Chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, during a media briefing in Downing Street on coronavirus on January 4. Credit: PA

In Borehamwood, around a quarter of the town's over 12 population remain completely unvaccinated against coronavirus. In comparison, around 15 to 20 per cent of each of Bushey, Elstree, and Radlett's over 12s are unvaccinated.

In the seven days to December 30, at least 647 Borehamwood residents tested positive for Covid-19 (of any variant) which is up from 503 over the previous seven days. Both of these figures are way up on what has been officially recorded over the rest of the pandemic.

The latest healthcare data shows West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Watford General, was caring for 56 Covid patients as of 8am on December 28, which was up from 36 on Boxing Day. There were six patients on ventilation.

A spokesperson for the trust said today that no 'critical incident' has had to be declared yet but said they had seen an increase in Covid patients over the last week and were dealing with more staff off than usual.

Watford General Hospital, part of West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust (Image: Stock image)

Jim McManus, who is the public health director for Hertfordshire, said: "The vaccines do still seem to be working to prevent people needing intensive care and mechanical ventilation treatment, but the Omicron variant is still very serious for some people, even if mild for other.”

"With such a high number of cases, it’s more important than ever that people get their vaccinations and booster jabs as soon as possible to help us minimise the impact of this wave of cases.

"We’re working closely with schools and businesses to help them follow the latest government guidelines, but we can all help look after each other by getting a PCR test if you have symptoms, self-isolating when asked, wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces and remembering to ventilate rooms."