Backed by a £22.5 million of government funding, community vaccine champions will tap into their local networks and encourage people in their communities to get vaccinated against the Covid-19 (Covid-19 jab).
The funding, allocated today (January 13) to 60 councils, will help deliver bespoke projects in these regions, including:
- In Derby and Newham roving vaccinators and a vaccine bus will visit workplaces, places of worship and local highstreets.
- Videos shared on social media featuring local sporting stars, TV actors, local community and faith leaders and local NHS staff in Southampton.
- Developing a community transport to support access to vaccination sites/pop-ups and considering ‘Grab a Jab’ taxis scheme.
As per NHS statistics, over 4.6 million people aged 18 and above remained unvaccinated in the 60 councils, selected to be a part of the Community Vaccine Champions programme.
Vaccines minister Maggie Throup said: “Thanks to the pace and scale of our Covid-19 vaccination programme, we are in a much better position than this time last year.”
“We are doing everything we can to reach those who haven’t yet come forward for their jabs and we know some people are more likely to listen to those they trust, such as community and religious leaders – that’s why we are giving extra funding to our brilliant Community Champions.”
Urging people to take their jabs, she said: “Please come forward as soon as you can so we can learn to live with this virus.”
Communities minister Kemi Badenoch MP said: “In England more than 80 per cent of eligible adults over 18 have had a booster and for over 50s it is 90 per cent.
“This is a great take-up so far, but we need to do more as we know that the unvaccinated are up to eight times more likely to be hospitalized than those who are jabbed.”
