The efforts to vaccinate the population of southwest London has passed a remarkable milestone, the SW London CCG announced today (Friday, July 23).

Over 1.7 million doses of a Covid vaccine have been administered in south west London to date, according to the NHS authority in the region.

That equates to over one million first doses for south west Londoners, and over 700,000 people in the region receiving both doses and 'full' protection against the Covid-19 virus.

Harlequins Rugby Club were praised for their efforts in helping the SW London CCG achieve the milestone.

Over 75,000 of the vaccines administered in south west London were given at the rugby club's Twickenham Stoop ground since a vaccination centre was opened there back in February.

"I’d like to congratulate Harlequins on this tremendous achievement, working in partnership with The NHS, Richmond Council, our incredible volunteers, St John Ambulance and the entire local community.

"We have safely vaccinated 75,000 local residents. This has made a major contribution to the public health and well-being of the nation. We are all immensely proud," Matron Mandie Lavin, who runs the Harlequins Covid-19 vaccination centre, said.

Harlequins Chief Executive Laurie Dalrymple meanwhile thanked the NHS for their incredible work.

"We have been incredibly proud to support our local community by working with the NHS to deliver this vaccination programme," he said. "We see each day the happy faces of our community passing through the stadium and we know that this is making a real difference to the health and lives of our residents.

"We have loved working with the NHS as they deliver this amazing programme and we look forward to continue to vaccinate people at The Stoop, even as we fully re-open The Stoop, including the Chris Robshaw Bar for our supporters on match days."

On passing the 1.7 million doses mark, Dr Nicola Jones, local GP and lead GP for the COVID-19 vaccination programme in south west London, praised her team's progress but urged more people, especially younger people, to take up the vaccine in an effort to boost those numbers further amid surging numbers of new Covid-19 infections in the region:

"The NHS in south west London has undertaken an ambitious plan to protect our residents most at risk from Covid-19, with the vast majority of people now protected with at least one dose of a vaccine.

"However, there are still thousands of people – many of them younger – who have not yet taken up the offer of a vaccine.

"For those who are still unsure, please come and have a chat at one of our vaccination centres to get the facts. There is no pressure to be vaccinated – we just want to make sure everyone has the facts so they can make their own decision," she said.

People can also call 119 or visit the national booking service to make an appointment at a local vaccination centre or pharmacy.

Those aged 39 and under who are eligible and pregnant women will be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in line with Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance.

For information about walk-in and pop-up clinics in south west London click here.