Should red tape be slashed for vaccine rollout?

I APPLIED to be a volunteer vaccinator, but have been rejected. Before I retired six years ago, I was a State Registered Nurse and State Certified Midwife for 37 years. I was told that to administer the Covid vaccine I’d need two A-levels, a degree, diploma, HND or NVQ, but I don’t have any of these. When I trained as a nurse in the 1980s, entrance depended on O-levels or taking a hospital test. I completed practical and written exams to qualify. If I had A-levels in art, geography or computer studies, how would that make me more competent to administer a vaccine? I knew I would have to update my training, but in this time of crisis, I question the criteria being used. When my turn comes for the jab, I will ask about the vaccinator’s qualifications as I’d prefer someone with medical training.

Miss P. PATERSON, Redditch, Worcs. MY WIFE is retired after nursing for 40 years, during which she gave school vaccinations and flu jabs. She volunteered to help with Covid vaccinations, but the process for being accepted is a nightmare. She has been told she has to complete 18 online training courses, which might be acceptable for computer literate trainees, but are not fit for this purpose. After struggling with the e-learning program for hours and getting nowhere, my wife has given up. A friend who works in a GP surgery applied to help with the admin side of the vaccination scheme. They, too, found the application longwinded and bureaucratic before giving up in frustration.

LES OWEN, Teignmouth, Devon. I APPLIED to become a vaccinator. I have spent my working life using hand tools precisely as a manufacturing jeweller, so I thought I could help. I passed the online interview and DBS check, but have been emailed that I do not fit the criteria. The reason is that my GP has described me as asthmatic even though I use an inhaler only ten times a year. I am upset as I thought they needed as many volunteers as they could get.