Thursday 4 February 2021
More than 36,000 people in Redbridge have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. All residents in care homes for the elderly in the borough have been offered the vaccine. The NHS is offering the vaccine to specific priority groups based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Nearly 250 people attended our recent virtual COVID-19 Vaccination Public Meeting. There were too many questions to answer on the day so we promised to answer later. Download the full Q&A.
For further information about the vaccines visit the COVID-19 Vaccinations Q&A
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If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) please self-isolate as soon as you can and get tested at one of the sites below.
You can do this by booking an appointment online, ordering an at-home testing kit, or calling 119.
The testing sites are located at:
- Mildmay Road Car Park, 1 Mildmay Road, Ilford IG1 1HW
- Gants Hill Library Car Park, Cranbrook Road, Ilford IG2 6SX
- Charteris Car Park, Charteris Road, Woodford IG8 0AL
All testing centres are open seven days a week between 8am and 8pm.
As well as our permanent testing sites, we have new rapid testing pop-up sites in the borough.
Rapid COVID-19 testing is strictly for those who don't have any COVID-19 symptoms and are unable to work from home. If this applies to you, please get tested twice a week at your nearest test site. This includes those who work in areas with the new South African variant, who should also stay at home where possible.
Our three permanent testing sites are:
- Redbridge Central Library, Ilford IG1 1BP
- Wanstead Youth Centre, 144 Elmcroft Ave, E11 2DB
- Hainault Library, 100 Manford Way, Ilford, Chigwell IG7 4DD
Please book the test in advance for our permanent sites.
We've been alerted to COVID-19 related scams including penalty notices, fake vaccination messages and scams on the doorstep.
Please remember:
- the COVID-19 vaccine will always be available free of charge
- you will never be asked to input any personal or bank details to confirm your identity
- you will never be asked to set up a password/pin over the phone
- council marshals running the door-to-door testing will have a Redbridge ID badge
Report COVID-19 scams anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers online or by phone on 0800 5875030.
Our COVID-19 marshals continue to engage with residents at our supermarkets, handing out free face masks and leaflets on national guidelines, testing and mental health/wellbeing.
Please remember to wear a face covering when shopping and keep a two-metre distance from anyone else. Please also support supermarket key workers by following any additional measures they have put in place to keep everyone safe, including one-way systems and customer number limits.
You may also receive a knock on your door as part of our door-to-door testing programme, where you will be given an opportunity to take a test on your doorstep.
It's Children’s Mental Health Week and this year’s theme is Express Yourself. You can find a suite of resources including how children can express themselves through art, music, dance and more.
Children can also watch the free assembly with BAFTA Kids and Oak National Academy to help them explore different creative ways to share their thoughts and feelings during lockdown.
Looking after our mental health has never been so important. If you need support contact Mental Health Direct by calling 0300 555 1000. They’re available 24 hours a day. Or contact Redbridge Talking Therapies online or by calling 0300 300 1554—option 1 (9am–5pm, Mon-Fri).
Please join our crowdfunding campaign to give all children and young people in Redbridge access to a laptop to support remote learning during the current lockdown.
The Making IT Happen campaign aims to lend a laptop to every Redbridge child who does not have access to a suitable online learning device.
More than £6,000 has been raised so far. With every £200 raised, we will provide a child with a device.
Please donate if you can
There are lots of myths about the COVID-19 vaccines. To help combat this we will be sharing a myth vs fact regularly.
Myth: The COVID-19 vaccines have irreversible side effects
Fact: Most side effects are mild and shouldn’t last longer than a week. Side effects may include: sore arm, tiredness, headache, ache and sickness.
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