Londoners are being urged to get a Covid-19 vaccine “as soon as possible” as the capital races to end lockdown restrictions.

The Government has set the target of offering a vaccine to all over-18s and double-jabbing two-thirds of adults by the planned easing of lockdown on July 19, but London faces a slightly lower uptake of first jabs than elsewhere in England.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is today meeting with Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi and public health officials at a “vaccine summit” to discuss ways of boosting take-up and ensuring London meets the July 19 target.

Ahead of the summit, Mr Khan said: “It’s crucial every possible avenue is being taken to ensure all Londoners take up both vaccine doses as soon as possible.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Everyone over the age of 18 is now eligible to book both a first and second dose of the vaccine or attend one of the various walk-in clinics in the capital.

On Monday, Mr Khan praised the “phenomenal effort” that saw more than 150,000 over-18s vaccinated at walk-in clinics in football stadiums, shops and places of worship over the weekend.

There are now similar mass vaccination drives planned across London this weekend, including a four-day event at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in north London.

The Emirates Stadium in Islington will be open from 8am to 8pm today (June 25) through to Monday June 28 to anyone over the age of 18 who has not yet had a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Appointments can be booked online but the stadium will also be accepting walk-in appointments.

In Waltham Forest, Leytonstone Library will be open between 10.30am and 2.30pm on Saturday June 26 offering first doses, while the Cann Hall Mosque on Cann Hall Road will be offering a first dose to anyone over the age of 40 who is yet to receive one.

Redbridge Town Hall will be open between 6pm and 9pm between June 26 and June 28 offering both first doses and second doses to those who have had their first, while the Fullwell Cross Medical Centre will be offering first and second doses between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Saturday 26.

In Brent, the Willesden Centre for Health and Care will be offering doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine between 10am and 2pm and the Pfizer vaccine between 2pm and 4.30pm on both Saturday 26 and Sunday 27, while Brent Central Mosque, the Granville Centre and the Park Royal Medical Practice will also be offering jabs over the weekend.

Full details of everywhere offering a vaccine this weekend can be found on the NHS website along with details of how to book an appointment if necessary.