Meet the people working together to deliver the vaccine
AN INSPIRING AND COLLABORATIVE EFFORT LIKE NEVER BEFORE, THE COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAMME IS UK’S WAY OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC
THE whole of the UK is working together to roll out the Covid-19 vaccine. From the scientists developing effective vaccines to the warehouse workers ensuring stock is stored safely and distributed around the country, the UK vaccination programme is an inspiring, collective effort across the four nations.
The UK government has secured more than 457 million doses of vaccines and has multiple vaccines approved for use. Millions of people have already received their first dose, with those most at risk first in line. Our priority is to save as many lives as possible, as quickly as possible, while also reducing the hospitalisations that are creating such pressure on the NHS.
The UK government has made available more than £6 billion to develop and secure Covid-19 vaccines, and it is now distributing doses to health services in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.
After becoming the first country to approve a vaccine for use, there are now three authorised Covid-19 vaccines. Those approved have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness set out by the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). They are available locally across the UK and provided free of charge.
At the heart of the biggest vaccination programme in NHS history are thousands of scientists, medics, Armed Forces personnel, logistics staff and volunteers who make it all possible. Read their inspiring stories below.
RAJAN BINDRA, 44, is an aviation consultant, who lives in Slough, Berkshire, with his wife and two children. He worked as a volunteer at the local vaccination centre.
“I was in charge of managing the car park, which is the first port of call for anybody who comes along. I wanted people to see my smiling eyes behind a mask, so that they were put at ease. We made a point of referring to them as ‘customers’ or ‘guests’ to treat everyone with respect.
“I was there when my 80-year-old mother arrived for her vaccination. I thought, ‘Do I need to ask for her ID?’ – I did anyway. But then she asked if I could park her car for her. I had to tell her we weren’t offering a valet service!”
LIEUTENANT CALUM MACLEOD, 27, serves with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in Leuchars, Fife, and has been involved in setting up vaccination centres.
“We’re doing anything – from helping to lay flooring, to moving chairs and tables around. We have been on task now for just under two weeks. It’s a vast effort by everyone involved. I’m from the local area, so it feels good to be getting these vaccinations out.
“A lot of my soldiers are really happy and motivated to be helping out communities across Scotland. The Army brings organisational capacity and a can-do attitude to the task.”
PROFESSOR PAUL HEATH, of the University of London, oversaw Phase 3 trials at St George’s Hospital, London, of a UK government-backed vaccine produced by US pharmaceutical company Novavax. The vaccine has now passed Phase 3.
“The Novavax trial involves around 15,200 participants at 33 sites across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
“This is a double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial to understand whether the vaccine has a significant efficacy against Covid-19. Once that’s been done – and obviously ensuring that the vaccine is safe – the data will be presented to the regulator, who will consider whether they want to provide an emergency licence.
“It is good to have lots of different vaccines because we have a lot of people to vaccinate.”
CORPORAL SALLY WOODCOCK, a 34-year-old RAF clarinettist, was deployed to a vaccine hub in Powys, Mid Wales.
“I’m not one to sit about doing nothing, so it’s fantastic that I’ve been able to help out. In Powys, I’m with five other musicians and a pilot. We’ve been doing all sorts. It can vary, depending on how many volunteers there are, but today I was doing car park duties. I’ve also been carrying out admin roles and operating the phones.
“We’re all mucking in together – there’s no kind of division between the military and volunteers. I received a jab myself because we were working with the public and alongside nurses. It was absolutely painless.”
DAVID LAWRENCE is the chief financial officer at Valneva, which is developing a vaccine in Livingston, West Lothian. The biotech company is one of the eight vaccine developers that the UK government has struck usage agreements with.
“The next wave of clinical trials will involve around 3,000 to 4,000 people to make sure there is enough data to confidently understand the vaccine’s safety and efficacy. Rather than just doing small-scale manufacturing to produce the initial material for the clinical trials, we’re now using a fullscale manufacturing process.
“That means that if the regulator gives its approval, the vaccine could be deployed the day after. We’re taking a risk now, that means we can potentially deliver the vaccine faster, and supply the 100 million doses that we promised the UK in time.”
ROYAL NAVY RESERVIST LT CDR RUTH FLEMING, 46, helped coordinate a team of military personnel building a vaccination centre in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.
“My work as a logistics officer included making sure the team was fit and well and where the government wanted them to be. All the military are can-do people and help bring new perspectives.
“I’m usually a data scientist at Swansea University, and while on deployment, I could still commute home to see my husband and two young kids. I’m really proud to have done my bit, and I will be at the front of the queue as soon as I get the opportunity to have the vaccine myself! My in-laws have already had it and my parents will have it soon.”
PROFESSOR SAUL FAUST is director of the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility at the University of Southampton.
“During the pandemic, I have focused on delivering trials of vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tests across the Wessex region. Without the vaccine, we will not be able to prevent further waves and the impact that has on the NHS.
“I work in national networks and groups to make best use of the superb UK clinical research infrastructure, which has delivered almost all of the global scientific advances in Covid-19. It has been a huge collaborative effort across the whole of the UK.”
MAJOR CHARLIE MARTELL was the Officer Commanding for the construction of a vaccination centre at Fort Regent in Jersey, which can now deliver 1,500 doses a day.
“That wasn’t a strict mobilisation, but a case of gathering local reservists and asking, ‘Can you turn up and build a mass vaccination centre?’
“We had a good response – it was a very effective local solution to a local problem. Building the centre took 10 days with 20 reservists. We were working flat out from when the site opened at 7am to when it closed at 7pm. It was very quick because we were able to start at a moment’s notice.”
DEIRDRE WEBB, 57, from Belfast, is director of nursing at the Public Health Agency Northern Ireland and managed the rollout of the vaccination programme to care homes.
“The care homes have gone through such hard times, so we were committed to deploying the vaccine there as soon as possible. All our care homes have now received the first doses.
“Within our care homes and clinics, the people who allow us to work effectively are the house porters, the drivers, the cleaners, as well as the volunteers. They are the unsung heroes. I am going to be trained as a vaccinator as well so I can’t wait for that. But at the moment, I am involved in the planning. I lead on the workforce and logistics part of the programme.”