Would you volunteer at vaccine centre?

[bathsh3ba]

Not in a medical sense but as a lay volunteer, taking names, showing people where to go etc.

I deliver prescriptions in my village and have been asked if I could help. I said not before Christmas as we are minimising risk before seeing my parents, but maybe after.

Then today I started wondering if it's a risky thing to do. I'd be going from my very low incidence village to a much higher incidence suburb of Bristol where cases are now rising.

On the other hand apparently it might mean I jump the queue for a vaccine as if any are left over they are offered to volunteers. Which seems at once unfair and enticing!

I'm medium risk, BMI close to 40 but just under, no health issues except psoriasis.

Would you volunteer in my shoes after Christmas?

I’ve volunteered to give the vaccine. Am retired (nurse). I may have to stop doing my normal volunteer work as I don’t want to put them at risk due to the new number of people I will be in contact with.

You've* just prompted me to volunteer-I received an invite via the Royal Voluntary Service NHS volunteer thing. I'd hummed and hahhed a bit but its it's unlikely that my work will pick up any time soon, so it's time that I do my bit. Also, I'm currently covid positive, so maybe that buys me some protection in the NY ?

• OK, you, OP and Matt Hancock. I actually found him genuine there!

Oh, I'd be a stewarding volunteer.

I would, but would expect all volunteers to be offered vaccine when they start.
(of course there is the risk people will volunteer then bugger off once they've had their jab, but I guess they wouldn't be offered the second part of it!)

It should be paid work.

Definitely

I've put myself forward but not heard anything. I also volunteered for a vaccine trial (got accepted to do that). Willing to do anything that helps though am limited with time due to having two young children.

I have done so - am being DBS'd currently - there is a vaccination centre already open about a mile away from me. Just to do marshalling and ticking people off lists etc - am not medical but not working until we are back in tier 2 here so will be available for ages (tier 4 since Saturday)

I've been doing it for a week now. It's been lovely, a real sense of doing something proactive and positive, and of there being a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

I spoke to the guy who is dealing with it all and there was no suggestion volunteers would get vaccine sooner.

@pilatespeach
We got ours, as they had doses left in the vials which couldn't be saved and used the next day. They were going to be disposed of so we all had one

If there are stories of people getting vaccine earlier there will be tons of volunteers ! I definitely would if I didnt already work ft. My work would probably allow me if local area was short but I doubt it will be !

Yes, probably less risk than many other workplaces tbh, and possibly even subject to regularly testing to be sure.

Can't really be any more risky than teaching, which is what I do normally. Ripped right through our school amongst staff and parents, and some pupils.

I think that lots of council workers who can't currently do their jobs will be redeployed to vaccination centres. That's what I've been led to believe any way.

My local council has already redeployed lots of staff to rapid test centres and to door knock and hand out tests.

@PilatesPeach
@scrumpledtitskin
How did you get involved if you don’t mind my asking. I emailed the ccg organising but didn’t get anywhere

I would love to! What a privilege to contribute.

I volunteered at a testing centre and I'd say it was safer by far than going into a supermarket. I've volunteered to give vaccines after Christmas

Yes I would
And if I got the vaccine early I would accept it and not feel guilty, especially if it was going to be wasted anyway.

Please do - I work full time in a GP practice and we have been ‘volunteered’ to help facilitate vaccinations on our weekends. Bit worried that we won’t get any time off 😭

Well I've had mine and the volunteers didn't look to be doing anything especially risky.

Everyone is in PPE, you are checked on the door and no-one symptomatic/who should be isolating is allowed in. Plus they all seemed to be getting their jabs as an early bonus.

They were doing an amazing job marshalling us through and we were all incredibly grateful as well.

@frazzled2207
Through my workplace (don't want to say where sorry, but not NHS)
we were all asked if we would volunteer. So a mixture of within and outside of working hours.
It's been absolutely exhausting, long days and no breaks. Literally on our feet all day, and all the marshalling is being done by various volunteers as the NHS staff were doing the vaccinating.
Definitely worth it though and I'll be continuing doing it for as long as we're needed/I'm able.

@Frazzled2207

Local authority are co-ordinating through their volunteer dept so perhaps speak to them