Autumn Covid-19 booster campaign seeks Preston and Lancashire volunteers

The NHS has issued a call for local volunteers to help deliver the autumn Covid-19 booster campaign and improve people’s immunity to the virus.

People across Preston and Lancashire will become eligible for a further booster jab in the coming months. The call follows the government’s announcement that people aged 50 and over and those most susceptible to illness from Covid-19 will receive a new booster that tackles the original strain and the Omicron variant.

The Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board said vaccination centres rely heavily on essential volunteers, who provide marshalling within buildings and car parks to help people feel ‘safe and confident’ when attending their appointments.

Jane Scattergood is the vaccination programme lead in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Jane 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 rewarding experience.”

Volunteers donated over 100,000 hours to the cause at over 30 community vaccination clinics and seven large-scale vaccination centres across Lancashire and South Cumbria.

The NHS hopes that as many people as possible will come forward to help the vaccination effort this autumn and winter.

For more information, visit – www.healthierlsc.co.uk/volunteer

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