Volunteers praised for efforts in Covid-19 vaccine roll-out in Staffordshire
Volunteers who are helping with the Covid-19 vaccination efforts in Staffordshire have been praised by health chiefs.
Leaders behind the roll-out said they are making "excellent progress" and said volunteers had been a "big part" of it.
More than half of the staff on duty at Stafford's vaccination centre at Staffordshire County Showground are volunteers.
Vaccination centre director Steve Powell said: "They are pivotal to the success of the operation. We have a list of more than100 volunteers now and we need between 20-25 per shift out of a total of around 40 people.
"They come from all walks of life and a wide range of ages, with some that are retired and others that have been furloughed. They are quite happy to roll up their sleeves to do whatever needs to be done to get as many people possible vaccinated."
Vince, a volunteer marshal at Staffordshire County Showground, said the task was to point people in the right direction – and to tackle any anxiety or fear people have over the jab.
Dr Paddy Hannigan, clinical director for the programme, said: "We are making excellent progress in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, and volunteers have been a big part of that.
"We are committed to making sure everyone gets the vaccine with the most vulnerable being the highest priority. We are now inviting people aged 65-70. If anyone is older than that and has not had their vaccination we would urge them to get in touch with the GP surgery as soon as possible."
