Dozens of volunteers rally to help with vaccination program

There are more than 70 volunteers on hand to help deliver the Covid-19 vaccination program in Ross-on-Wye.

Thousands of people have been vaccinated in south and west Herefordshire since December 19.

The roll-out of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab has been seen as a huge success with more than around 1,260 patients being given their first dose over the first weekend alone.

Organisers say the logistics involved in rolling the vaccine out at short notice have been enormous and only made possible by the dedicated team of volunteers rallied by the Ross Lions and Rotary Clubs and the Ross-on-Wye Community Development Trust.

To date, the volunteer teams have completed two Pfizer rollouts at The Larruperz Centre in Ross-on-Wye, and the third is due on 29-31 January, and one Oxford vaccine rollout at three locations – Pendeen, Alton Street and Much Birch GP surgeries.

Due to the high number of people being vaccinated and the need to complete them in quick succession, the vaccine volunteer shifts are packed into three days over the weekends with a total of 28 four-hour shifts, starting at 8am and sometimes continuing until 8pm depending on requirements.

With the recent winter weather proving challenging, it has meant that volunteers have had to work through the cold, rain and icy conditions, ensuring they follow social distancing guidelines as well as safely helping the most vulnerable in the community who arrive for their vaccinations.

Volunteer support services co-ordinator Richard Williams is responsible for pulling together the complex rotas which have been taking place since last month.

He said: “I have a pool of over 75 active volunteers and ensure that all of them take part in one or more shifts.

“My scheduling allows for around 25 hours per vaccine rollout and there are three volunteer support teams, each having two volunteers per shift, plus an onsite co-ordinator who covers all teams for rest periods and comfort breaks.”

There are three teams of volunteers who help through out the process.

One of the teams works outside to supervise the parking area and encourage those who arrive early to wait in their cars due to a no waiting policy within the Larruperz Centre.

Once patients are called up, the door marshals meet patients as they enter – or their carer or family member – and direct them to the reception area where they are called forward for their vaccination by an NHS staff member.

Finally, after the vaccination takes place, volunteers who receive patients from an NHS staff member, talk with the patients while they wait for the statutory 15 minutes’ recovery time, before helping them to leave.

The Ross Rotary, Lions and Ross Community Development Team also assist the local three local pharmacies (Benjamins, Cohens & Boots) when called upon to deliver medication.