UK Military personnel help vaccine booster programme

The biggest hits that Covid has taken seem to come from the UK military personnel. Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen many initiatives to curb the spread of the virus.

Most recently, hundreds of military personnel have signed up for the vaccine booster programme. They are lending a hand to the NHS, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Welsh and Scottish governments.

The troops will be helping with the delivery of the boosters. They will function as support for walk-in vaccination centres and also help administer the shots to people who cannot come in to get their boosters.

Colonel Darren Doherty, Commander of Army Headquarters North West, visiting troops at Manchester Town Hall, said: “We’re well used to working in support of the NHS and providing people where they are needed. On the back of the Prime Minister’s announcement, we have planning teams working out how best to deliver the booster programme.”

Talking about the new program, Captain Victoria Gordon, a Royal Army Medical Corps Physio at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Taunton, said: “It’s a privilege, it’s exciting to be part of the national effort. I’ve worked in the NHS before. They do a fantastic job and it’s wonderful to be supporting them. As part of the military you expect to be part of a mass effort. This is very unusual for me. The day job is working with young marine recruits, 16 or 17 through to their early 20s and hands-on physio, exercises in the gym.”

With Christmas coming up, the efforts are much needed. No one wants another year of having to avoid their loved ones for their own safety. Private Madison Oliver from Basingstoke, Hampshire serving with 1 Medical Regiment in Tidworth, said: “This task is really important to me because I want to help get the vaccine out to people quicker, to make everyone safer especially for Christmas. I also think it is really important to support our NHS colleagues and by us being here it allows more people to book their boosters.

“This is my fourth deployment during the pandemic, I have been a vaccinator three times and also worked on a ward in a hospital. One of the stand-out moments for me has been when I was a vaccinator in London, I actually vaccinated a survivor from the Holocaust – that was amazing, I’ll never forget it.”  

All in all, around 850 military personnel are stationed around the United Kingdom to help tackle new variations such as Omicron and help with booster shots. Their work is expected to spill over into the first couple of months of 2022.

Speaking about the current initiative, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “We are now supporting this national priority Covid-19 vaccination programme in Wales, Scotland and England. Our Armed Forces are supporting our world class health services to accelerate the vaccine rollout and provide essential protection for people and communities. I urge anyone eligible to take up the offer of a vaccine.”

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: “I am proud of our Armed Forces who are once again stepping up to help protect people and communities. We have a long history of working hand in hand with the NHS as two organisations with a common goal to help keep our people safe.”

Military personnel have been swooping in to save the day throughout this year. They have taken up the fuel crisis and helped with Storm Arwen. They have repeatedly stepped up to tackle issues that do not directly fall under the ambit of their duties. Let’s support our soldiers by taking all the precautions we need to.