For eight centuries, the cathedral of Salisbury, in England, was raised to the faithful. Now, it’s hosting hopeful, like Daphne Morant, 85, who recently joined more than 1,000 people being vaccinated here against COVID-19 in a single day.
When people enter, they register and settle into a booth. Because the cathedral is so spacious, 12 people can be vaccinated at the same time. They are then monitored for adverse reactions.
“I didn’t feel anything,” Morant told Roxana Saberi of CBS News after being shot. “Except it’s cold, you know, when you’re waiting. That’s the only thing I can say!”
While waiting for safe social distances, they relax to the sound of Bach and Handel’s organ music. David Halls, the musical director of Salisbury Cathedral, said, “Don’t forget, they haven’t heard live music in months!”
CBS News
It is an unusual place to treat patients. But Dr. Michele Giorgi said it is ideal for administering a large number of the Pfizer vaccine, which deteriorates rapidly at room temperature.
“This allows us to adapt the space to what we need in terms of vaccinations, observation areas and outlets,” said Giorgi. In addition, the cathedral is in a central location: “Everyone knows where it is. It is not difficult to find.”
The UK has already vaccinated more than six million people. This gives it the third highest rate of vaccination per capita among the main countries (behind Israel and the United Arab Emirates).
Across the UK, other sites closed by the blockade have been turned into sites for mass vaccinations, with people lining up on horse racing tracks, a rugby stadium and a cinema. “Too bad the movie wasn’t shown, ha ha!” said a woman who was vaccinated.
Authorities say nearly a tenth of the population has already received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Other countries are also building makeshift mega-sites in unconventional locations, such as a food court in Moscow, a museum in Beijing and next to the iconic statue of “Christ the Redeemer” in Rio de Janeiro.
Israel, which leads the world in vaccinations per capita, now injects up to 7,000 people a day at the historic Rabin Square in Tel Aviv. “It is not just a feeling of community and they can see their neighbors here, but there is also a feeling of celebration,” explained city spokesman Eytan Halon.
But in the European Union, vaccines in centers like an ice rink in Berlin have been paralyzed due to a lack of vaccines.
Also in the UK, authorities expect delivery delays this week, threatening plans to give a dose to some 15 million people by mid-February.
Saberi asked Dr. Giorgi, “Are you going fast enough?”
“It’s never going fast enough,” he replied.
As for those who have already rolled up their sleeves, they hope this is a move towards more freedom. “I’m going to see my son and daughter again, and this is going to be good!” said a woman.
Despite progress in mass vaccinations, Britain is still struggling with a most contagious variant of the virus. Authorities are now considering tougher restrictions, such as tighter border controls and keeping schools closed until Easter.