EasyJet cabin crew to train up as vaccinators to help with Covid jab roll-out
EASYJET cabin crew workers are set to train up as vaccinators to help with the coronavirus jab roll-out.
The airline is continuing to operate a reduced schedule due to the pandemic, and first offered the vaccine support in November.
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It comes as the government plans to vaccinate the elderly, the vulnerable and frontline workers – around 15 million people – by mid-February.
To help meet its target, it's opening up centres and recruiting volunteers.
The latest figures show how more than 2.4 million people across the UK – almost 4% of the population – have now received a coronavirus jab.
Another 400,000 have been given out as second doses.
The Sun’s Jabs Army – 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
Britain is currently leading the vaccination effort with the UK giving out 10 times more jabs than many of its European neighbours.
A huge NHS operation has also seen seven mass vaccination hubs open across the country this week, supported by hundreds more GP surgeries, hospital hubs and pharmacy-led sites.
The UK was the first to approve the Pfizer vaccine last month and Margaret Keenan, 91, from Coventry became the first person in the world to receive the jab on December 8.
Many of EasyJet’s 3,000 cabin crew aren't currently working due to the pandemic, but are both first aid trained and security cleared, making them suitable candidates to help.
EasyJet said it expects hundreds of crew to sign up as vaccinators, which is similar to last year when its staff also volunteered to support the NHS.
EasyJet crew who apply to help will be fast-tracked to become trained vaccinators at NHS vaccination centres across the country.
They will undergo online training and onsite immunisation training to become fully-qualified in administering the vaccine.
It comes as The Sun continues its Jabs Army campaign where we're calling on volunteers to help vaccinate the nation.
A whopping 35,000 people have signed up to the initiative so far, withbrands like Virgin Atlantic and New Look putting their weight behind the cause.
EasyJet has also already signed up to the campaign, alongside other major firms such as BT, Sky, Amazon, British Airways, Jet2 and Pret a Manger.
Meanwhile, Asda is to become the first supermarket in the UK to provide in-store coronavirus vaccinations.
And Morrisons has confirmed it will turn its car parks into drive-thru vaccine centres.
It comes as Boots became the first high street chain to offer coronavirus jabs this week.
Johan Lundgren, Easyjet's chief executive, said: "We are delighted to be assisting the NHS in their efforts to protect the nation’s health and help to roll out this crucial vaccination programme.
“We are incredibly proud that once again our crew can help to support the NHS and that we can play our part for the nation at this time – and I know so many of them will step up to help at this challenging time for the country.
“The progress the country is making on the vaccination programme is an exciting and much-needed development."
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