Jabs Army campaign signs up almost 6,000 Sun readers so far to help get Britain vaccinated and beat Covid
THOUSANDS of fantastic Sun readers have already joined our Jabs Army campaign in the battle to end the pandemic in 2021.
We're calling for 50,000 volunteers to work as unpaid stewards at hundreds of vaccination centres throughout the UK.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
And just two days in, 5,871 of you have already responded to our calls – and signed up to make the virus history.
Boris Johnson, Bake Off star Matt Lucas and X Factor boss Simon Cowell are among a host of public figures giving their support after we called on readers help make sure 15 million get a vaccine by March.
Simon said: “The vaccine offers new hope for all of us for 2021 — and so anything that can support the roll-out plans must have all of our support and thankfulness.”
Sign up at nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sent a message to his 3.2 million followers on Twitter about the scheme.
He said: “The Sun’s campaign to help our NHS to roll out the UK vaccination programme as fast as possible is a fantastic initiative.
"The British public volunteered in droves to support the NHS last year and I have no doubt they will be determined to help again.”
The PM backed our initiative after we joined forces with the NHS and the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) to urge readers to help out at pop-up vaccination centres across the UK.
Our stewards will guide people on site to make sure the process runs safely and efficiently.
You only need to commit to two six-hour shifts per month at a vaccination service near you and no prior experience or qualifications are needed.
RVS Chief Catherine Johnstone said: “The response from Sun readers so far has been fantastic.
"But we need as many people as possible to join The Sun’s Jabs Army.”
Strictly’s chief judge Shirley Ballas was dancing for joy at our plan to recruit Sun readers to help out in the biggest-ever operation in peacetime.
Shirley said: “I fully support The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign and urge everyone who can to sign up and volunteer so that we can quickly vaccinate as many people as possible.”
And her Strictly co-star Claudia Winkleman added: “2020 was a pretty rubbish year for everyone — let’s ensure 2021 is so much better.
"By helping the NHS with this incredible roll-out, we can get the country up and running again — and look after the most vulnerable.”
TV adventurer Bear Grylls announced he was signing up as a volunteer steward at a vaccination centre.
In his role as Chief Scout, and writing in The Sun, he urged Britain’s former Scouts to become part of the Jabs Army.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay spoke for all businesses hit by Covid when he said: “The sooner we can get people vaccinated, the sooner we can end tier life and get some much-needed normality back.
How to sign up
VOLUNTEERS for the Jabs Army are being asked to first register online at nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk
You will then receive an email with log-in details to sign up online.
Finally, you will be asked to download the GoodSAM app on a smartphone which will match you to a role in your area.
Services will be opening in the coming days and weeks, with different areas up and running at different times, so you might not be required on site for some weeks. Not everyone who signs up will need to be called upon.
You need to commit to only two six-hour shifts a month at a vaccination service, and no prior experience or qualifications are required.
You will work as part of a team that will include NHS staff and volunteers. The Royal Voluntary Service will conduct appropriate background checks.
Go to nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk
“Let’s join together and all do what we can to get the nation moving once again, by supporting the NHS and this great campaign.”
Lieutenant General Tyrone Urch, who led the military’s response to the pandemic, said: “I would urge the nation to join us and volunteer their services for this campaign, which will support in combating the virus and help us work towards a new normal.”
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We all have a role to play in getting through this pandemic.
"The vaccine is our way out and back to normal life.
"I want to thank the Sun for launching this fantastic campaign and I urge Sun readers to join the Jabs Army."
The first Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine doses have been delivered to hospitals across the UK today.
Some 530,000 doses of the vaccine will be available for rollout across the UK from Monday, with vulnerable groups to be given the jab first.
The Oxford vaccine is the second vaccine to be given the go ahead in Britain after rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab began last month.
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