Volunteers needed as vaccine rollout ramps up in Mansfield and Ashfield

As the vaccine programme ramps up in Mansfield and Ashfield, volunteers are being sought to help with the roll out.
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Nottinghamshire’s Covid 19 vaccination programme is on track to vaccinate all over 80s and care home residents by January 24, but with a long way yet to go, volunteers are needed to help with the roll out.

The county is also set to achieve the top four cohorts by the Prime Minister’s deadline of mid-February – in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire more than 247,000 first vaccines have been delivered.

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People over 70, starting with the over 75s, and the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ will also be invited for jabs starting this week.

Among the first to receive a vaccination at the county's large vaccination centre at Newark Showground were ex-veteran Tony Parker, aged 81, and his wife Beryl Parker, aged 82, who live in Newark.Among the first to receive a vaccination at the county's large vaccination centre at Newark Showground were ex-veteran Tony Parker, aged 81, and his wife Beryl Parker, aged 82, who live in Newark.
Among the first to receive a vaccination at the county's large vaccination centre at Newark Showground were ex-veteran Tony Parker, aged 81, and his wife Beryl Parker, aged 82, who live in Newark.

A roving patient transport service is targeting the housebound and those without transport across the region, and there are now nine vaccination sites established, including three in Ashfield.

Larger venues are being used including Newark Showground, which opened on Saturday, January 16. Among the first to be jabbed there were ex-veterans Tony Parker, 81, and his wife Beryl Parker, 82, from Newark,

Ashfield and Eastwood MP Lee Anderson is now urging volunteers to help out with the rollout.

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“To have achieved almost four million vaccinations nationally already is great news,” said Mr Anderson who got his own jab, before volunteering on the programme, at the Ashfield Health Village, in Kirkby, on January 16.

Paid work and volunteer opportunities supporting health workers with the roll-out the vaccine are being advertised. Roles involve supporting health workers across the county set up vaccination stations, help to administer vaccines, help dispose clinical waste and change PPE.

People with medical experience or who have lost their job during the pandemic; airline cabin crew or life guards for example are among those encouraged to apply.

Mr Anderson said: “I wanted to do my bit for Queen and Country. The faster we are all vaccinated, the faster we can hold our loved ones close and normal life can be resume. I would encourage everyone who can to sign up as a volunteer at: https://vcconnectsystem.org.uk/NewarkAndSherwoodVMS2/CovidRegistration/Register.”

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Dr Andy Haynes, Executive Lead, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System, said: “We must continue to follow the guidance to make sure numbers fall next month. NHS staff and volunteers are working exceptionally hard.”