Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) is calling for students to keep ‘doing the right thing’ to protect each other and the local community from Covid-19 as the new academic year begins.

The university is holding walk-in vaccination clinics at its High Wycombe campus for students, staff and local people.

The pop-up Pfizer vaccine clinics will run from 10am to 6pm on both September 20 and 22, outside the University’s main reception on Queen Alexandra Road.

No appointment is needed and people are asked to bring their NHS number and vaccine card if they have already had their first Pfizer dose.

The clinic will return eight weeks later to provide second Pfizer doses.

Every new and returning student is being urged to take the ‘Be BNU Safe’ pledge to demonstrate their commitment to stopping the spread of the virus as the campus reopens.

Professor Nick Braisby, Vice-Chancellor at BNU said: “Throughout the pandemic, our University community has taken pride in working together to prevent local COVID-19 outbreaks on campus and in our local communities.

“I’m proud that we had a low rate of positive cases compared to other universities which is very much due to our students and staff doing the right thing to look out and care for one another.

“All of our COVID-secure measures remain in place and we’re asking students to keep doing their bit by signing up to the ‘Be BNU Safe’ pledge to be considerate, kind and responsible and to keep taking regular lateral flow tests.”

“I want to reassure everyone in our local community that we’re taking our responsibilities seriously and we’re expecting and supporting our students and staff to do the same.

"That’s why we’re encouraging our students to get vaccinations and hosting a walk-in clinic that’s open to local people too.”

The return of students and staff is good news for the region with the economic activity of BNU’s students, staff, and alumni providing an estimated £0.95bn boost each year.

A recent report by the Higher Education Policy Institute also showed that the UK’s 2018/19 cohort of international students delivered a net economic benefit of £25.9 billion to the UK, including a contribution of £45.6m to the High Wycombe constituency.

Professor Nick Braisby added: “The return of our students gives the whole community a reason to celebrate, as students and staff bring economic activity to local businesses, enrich the town’s arts and culture, and support voluntary and charitable institutions.

“We can’t wait to welcome them back to our COVID-secure campuses and I’m sure local companies feel the same.

“We are proud of our vibrant and diverse student body and look forward to welcoming our international students to BNU.”