The Olympic Office Centre building in Wembley Park will open its doors as the first large NHS Vaccination Centre this week to vaccinate people aged 80 and over, along with health and care staff.

Network Homes was set to start the redevelopment on the site in 2020 but the plans were postponed due to COVID-19.

The large-scale site is capable of delivering thousands of the life-saving jabs each week and offers a convenient alternative to GP-led and hospital services that are already set up across NW London.

Pippa Nightingale, lead for the vaccination programme in NW London said: “I am incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that has been put into getting this centre opened today. The NHS would not have done this without the support of the local authority, businesses and community, as well as the team from Network Homes whose building is being used for the centre. The borough of Brent has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic and we are pleased that today we are able to launch our first vaccination centre here.”

Councillor Neil Nerva, Brent’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Culture and Leisure: “As the UK’s most diverse borough we were hit particularly hard in the first wave of the virus so I am really pleased that Brent has been chosen for one of the first new mass vaccination centres. I would like to thank all the amazing NHS staff, council workers and the army of volunteers who have helped to set up the site and will keep it running over the coming months. It's a huge relief that the vaccine is being offered to our most vulnerable residents and those who care for them."

Helen Evans, Chief Executive of Network Homes: “The vaccination programme offers the only way out of this terrible pandemic. I’m pleased that Network Homes has been able to assist this in a small way and our old office has been put to good use as a vaccination centre. I’m looking forward to many thousands of residents of Brent and the surrounding area receiving vital protection from covid-19 there.”

More Vaccination Centres will be launched in the North West of London in the coming weeks to increase the numbers of people who can be conveniently vaccinated each day.

Invites to book at the centres are being sent to people aged 80 or over who have not yet been vaccinated and live within a 45 minutes’ drive from the site, with more sites opening in the coming weeks. The letters will explain how they can book a slot over the phone or online through the national booking service, and NHS leaders are urging people not to turn up at the centres or try to book without receiving them. People who book into a vaccine centre should note marshals will be on hand to help people to the right place. Bookings are staggered to allow social distancing and please don’t arrive until five minutes before the appointment time.

Servicing entrance is on Rutherford Way.

Planned redevelopment of the Olympic Office Centre in Wembley Park.