2021 Reading and Leeds Festival

It was announced that there would be 'Vaccine Tents' at both locations for people to have their COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines were on offer at Reading Festival between 9.30am and 5pm from Thursday 26 August until Sunday 29 August, and from 9am to 1pm on Monday 30 August. At Leeds Festival, the vaccine was offered from 10am until 4pm from Friday 27 August to Sunday 29 August, and from 8am to 11am on Monday 30 August. Health Professionals were also available at Leeds Festival on Thursday 26 August between 10am and 4pm to for revellers to discuss the vaccine. On Wednesday 27 August 2021, there was a two-hour slot at lunchtime for festival staff to have the jab. There was also a slot for early arrivals to have jab on the afternoon of Wednesday 27 August 2021.

Dr Nikki Kanani, a GP and deputy lead for NHS England's vaccination programme, said: "Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and volunteers, more than half a million young people aged between 16 and 17 have had their first dose as teams across the country have worked tirelessly to get their communities protected, vaccinating at convenient pop-up clinics in the park, at places of worship and stadiums, and now at Reading and Leeds [Festival]". It is great to see the return of live music and performances, and as festival-goers head to the main stage this weekend to see their favourite headliners, I am also urging anyone who hasn't had to add the 'vaccine tent' to their festival itinerary to get that lifesaving vaccine as the best protection we can get from Coronavirus". Health Secretary Sajid Javid insisted getting a jab is "one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones." He said: "Vaccines are saving lives and allowing us to regain the freedoms we've been looking forward to over the last 18 months - from visiting family abroad to festivals and gigs." He finished by saying: "Its brilliant to see different sectors and industries stepping up to help get the country vaccinated, making it easier than ever to get your jab."^[6]

Highlights of Reading and Leeds Festival were shown on BBC One - Stormzy's set was shown at 11.55pm on Saturday 28 August and Liam Gallagher's set was shown at 11.35pm on Sunday 29 August, BBC iPlayer - for up to a year after the festival, on BBC Radio 1 - from 11am on all three days, BBC Radio 1Xtra - from 7pm on Saturday 28 August 2021 and BBC Music's YouTube channel - which features playlists of top performances from the 2019 edition and there was also plenty of catch-up videos from this year's edition.^[7]