NHS launches new recruitment drive on Covid ‘Jabiversary’

The NHS is launching a drive to recruit 10,000 vaccination workers on the ‘jabiversary’ of the first Pfizer jab.

Margaret Keenan received the jab at Coventry a year ago, launching the NHS vaccination programme, the world’s first national effort to protect people against the virus. A year on, NHS staff are expected to deliver the 100 millionth jab as the health service again ramps up the vaccination programme in response to the new threat from the Omicron variant.

The programme has delivered 42.9 million first doses, 39 million second doses and more than 17 million top-up jabs.

Almost 3,000 vaccine sites have been set up across the country, staffed by NHS staff and over 118,000 NHS volunteers – who have given over 1.9 million hours to help protect millions of people at speed.

Now, 10,000 new roles are being advertised to help the health service provide boosters to millions more people from across the country. New jobs include vaccinators, admin staff and healthcare support workers – depending on demand in local areas.

The NHS is also working with the Royal Voluntary Service and St John, to drum up the support of more than 42,000 volunteers.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS England chief executive, said: “One year ago today, the NHS made history when Maggie Keenan was the first person to receive a Pfizer vaccination outside a clinical trial. Maggie’s jab marked the launch of the world’s first national vaccination programme – watched around the globe it was a moment of hope after months of fear.

“Since that point, the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme, the biggest and fastest in our history, has delivered almost 100 million jabs, protecting tens of millions of us against the virus. The rollout would not have been as successful as it has been without the help of thousands of volunteers who have given over one million hours to deliver vaccines and help us save thousands of lives.

“Now the NHS is ramping up its vaccine drive once again as millions more become eligible for their booster, sooner, following updated Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance, and so we are now recruiting 10,000 more staff to help us in our national mission.

“If you are interested in applying, or if you want to volunteer, search ‘NHS vaccine team’ to find out how you can help us. The NHS and the country needs you once again – you can play a key role in helping us to save many more lives.”