High-capacity vaccination center to open in Prague's O2 Universum

A high-capacity COVID-19 vaccination center will be established at the O2 Universum facility in Prague, spokespersons from Bestsport and Prague's Central Military Hospital (UVN) have told CTK.

Bestsport, who operates the venue, and UVN have signed a contract on its lease until July 31, 2021, which can be extended if need be.

The new center will be able to vaccinate up to 10,000 people a day. Its construction costs are estimated to be 11.8 million crowns. The leasing of the arena will be just 1,000 crowns for the entire period.

"We have also agreed that the provable costs of the services which O2 universum will secure, such as cleaning of common premises, security guards, accreditation service, staff catering and others, will be covered," UVN director Miroslav Zavoral said.

"Additionally, the costs of heating or cooling and water and power consumption connected exclusively with the operation of the vaccination center will be covered, too."

Currently, UVN expert working groups are preparing logistics and looking for personnel. IT experts are developing an app to be connected with other systems. The hospital and Prague's Integrated Rescue System are jointly tackling safety at the vaccination center.

The O2 universum multipurpose congress center consists of nearly 50,000 square meters, and its largest hall has capacity for up to 4,500 people. It is part of the O2 Arena that is operated and owned by Bestsport, a child company of Petr Kellner's PPF Group.

Prague City Hall also operates vaccination centers at the polyclinic in Spálená street and in the municipal after-care hospital in Vysočany.

Additionally, the city plans to open a high-capacity vaccination center at Prague Congress Centre.

Some Prague districts, including Prague 8 and Prague 9, have also established their own vaccination centers.