Call for volunteers to support the COVID-19 booster campaign

The COVID-19 vaccination programme in Lancashire and South Cumbria needs new volunteers to help support the NHS in the drive to boost people’s immunity again this autumn.

Thousands of people in the region will become eligible for a further booster jab in the coming months, and the call follows the government’s recent announcement that people aged 50 and over and those who are most susceptible to serious illness from COVID-19 will be offered a new booster that tackles both the original strain and the Omicron variant.

Vaccination centres rely heavily on essential volunteers who provide marshalling both within buildings and car parks to help make sure people feel safe and confident when attending their appointments.

Volunteers donated well over 100,000 hours to the cause at more than 30 different community vaccination clinics and seven large-scale vaccination centres across Lancashire and South Cumbria, and the hope is that as many people as possible will come forward to help the vaccination effort this autumn and winter.

Jane Scattergood, lead for the vaccination programme in Lancashire and South Cumbria, said: "Many of the people who gave up their free time to volunteer with the vaccine roll-out over the past two years have spoken about what a satisfying experience it was helping to protect people and their local communities.

“We are so grateful to the thousands of people who previously applied and trained for voluntary roles as part of the NHS COVID-19 vaccine team, but, inevitably, not all of those people will be able to volunteer their time again this autumn and winter. That is why we are urging anyone interested in volunteering to come forward.

“If you can spare a few hours a week, please sign up – it will be a big help and hopefully a very rewarding experience.”

If you want to volunteer to support the vaccinations programme, register now at www.healthierlsc.co.uk/volunteer.