Foamboard with Somali translation of important information relating to the COVID-19 vaccine, used at the Science Museum NHS COVID-19 vaccination centre, 2021

Before a COVID-19 vaccination, people were taken through a series of questions to ensure they were able to have a vaccine at their appointment. Questions on allergies, participation in COVID vaccine trials, medication, pregnancy and breastfeeding were asked. Support was on hand if anyone had questions regarding the vaccine. The questions were displayed in a number of languages, reflecting the communities the vaccination centre was designed to serve.

After weeks of careful planning and installation, the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Centre at the Science Museum first welcomed people to receive their COVID-19 vaccine on 11 March 2021. Run by NHS staff and volunteers, the clinic delivered over 122,000 doses to people over the course of a year. People had to pre-book their appointments when invited by the NHS. When the clinic first opened, the museum was closed to visitors but reopened on 19 May 2021 for five days a week.