Minister praises "Dunkirk spirit" of vaccine army that includes a retired teacher from Cornwall
67-year-old Leah Ashton is among the many volunteers vaccinating the Duchy against coronavirus
Meet Leah Ashton - the retired teacher from Truro who is among the army of volunteers helping to vaccinate Cornwall against coronavirus.
She has been dishing out jabs at Stithians, having already volunteered at the foodbank and delivered prescriptions during the first lockdown.
The 67-year-old told us she is working alongside some incredible people, giving up multiple hours a week.
"I think, looking back, it will be very, very historic"
Leah has been speaking to us as part of our #MeetTheVaccinators project, to recognise the work of all those volunteering across the UK.
She said: "People are very grateful and thankful and that's nice to get that back for the small bits that we collectively are doing.
"I'm working alongside some incredible people too. Some who are still working and have their own businesses - writers and artists and have other businesses.
"Some are self-employed and they're giving up eight - 12 hours a week in four hour slots".
Leah Ashton
More than 80,000 volunteer vaccinators came forward once the rollout was ready to get underway and a further 200,000 people are giving up their time to help support the vaccinators, by working as stewards, and support staff at vaccine sites.
All this week we have been marking the achievements of the vaccine programme with our #MeetTheVaccinators project - shining a light on doctors, nurses and volunteers putting us on a path out of the coronavirus pandemic.
The UK Vaccine Minister has described the UK's army of vaccinators as "ordinary people doing extraordinary things".
Nadhim Zahawi said: "They are the heroes and heroines of this deployment. I've said that I stand on the shoulders of those heroes and heroines extraordinary effort.
"Ordinary people doing extraordinary things for their community, for their families, for their country, coming together for their country.
"It's been an extraordinary coming together of the nation, that Dunkirk spirit, a thousand flotillas coming together, our armed forces, local government colleagues, who've done a brilliant job, our pharmacists.
"I pay tribute to all of them, a huge "Thank You" from the bottom of my heart".
Vaccine Minister, Nadhim Zahawi
Nationwide, more than 75 million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been handed out since December 2020.
The aim is to give all adults one dose by the time restrictions are due to be eased on July 19th.
Across Cornwall, almost two thirds of people are now fully vaccinated against coronavirus.
NHS data shows 306,459 people had received both jabs by 20th June which, based on latest population estimates, is 65% of those aged 16 and over.
This weekend, so-called 'grab a jab' sessions are being held at vaccination sites across the the UK.
On Sunday, adults of all ages will be able to have a Covid jab at both the Stithians and Royal Cornwall showgrounds without booking an appointment.
You can check when and where you can drop in for jabs here.
#MeetTheVaccinators Gallery
David Atherton won the Bake Off in 2019. He's now serving up vaccines in London
Elvis impersonator Dr Andy Mason vaccinated two of his backing singers, who also happen to be his daughters
Drag Race star Cherry Valentine has been part of the Vaccination programme in Lancashire (presumably not wearing those nails!)
Edgar Woodhead, on the left in his "normal" role as an airline pilot, and on the right, as a vaccinator in Ilkley, Yorkshire
Covid Vaccine Gallery
What is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK on 2 December 2020. Britain was the first country in the world to approve the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19. Pfizer is an American pharmaceutical firm while BioNTech is a German biotechnology company. The vaccine is very delicate and has to be stored at -70 degrees, limiting the number of sites that can administer the jab.
What is the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine?
A vaccine developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca became the second vaccine approved for UK use on 30 December 2020. This vaccine was considered "the way out" of the pandemic in the UK, thanks to the fact it is easier to store than the Pfizer jab, making it well equipped for mass roll out. GPs and vaccination centres across the country began administering the jab in early January 2021. Under 30's in the U.K. were given the option to choose a different vaccine to this due to small risks of very rare blood clots. Instead, under-30s would typically choose the Pfizer jab or later, the moderna jab.
What is the Moderna vaccine?
The third vaccine approved for UK use on 8 January 2021 was developed by American firm Moderna. 24-year-old Elle Taylor from Wales became the first person in the UK to receive the Moderna jab in April. The Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer jab in how it works but is even easier to roll out as it can be stored at -20 degrees rather than -70.
What is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The fourth vaccine to be be approved in the UK was Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, released under the name Janssen. Notably, It is also the first single shot vaccine in use during this vaccine rollout.
Who was the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine?
90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first patient in the world to be vaccinated against Covid-19 outside a clinical trial. She received her jab on 8 December 2020 at Coventry's University Hospital. Mrs Keenan, who lives in Coventry, became somewhat of a fashion influencer after the charity t-shirt she wore to her vaccination appointment sold out. Profits went towards buying Christmas presents for hospital patients. The grandmother advised everyone who was offered the vaccine to take it, saying "If I can have it at 90, then you can have it too."
Who was the first person to receive the Oxford vaccine?
Meanwhile, Brian Pinker from Oxford was first to receive the AstraZeneca jab outside of a clinical trial at the age of 82. Mr Pinker, who was vaccinated on 4 January 2021, praised the medical teams administering the vaccine, saying it would allow him to "really look forward" to celebrating his 48th wedding anniversary with wife Shirley later on in the year.
When will I receive the vaccine?
Vaccines were offered according to vulnerability levels. First to be offered the jab were people in care homes and their carers, followed by those over 80 and health and social care workers. People aged 65 and above were next on the priority list and then high-risk adults under the age of 65 followed by moderate risk adults under 65. The vaccine was then rolled out by age group.
How will I know when it's my turn to get vaccinated?
When it is your turn to receive the vaccination, you will be informed by the NHS. You should only attend vaccination sites if you have been told to do so. Vaccines are provided for free by the NHS and they will never ask for bank details. Find out more about vaccine scams here.
What is a vaccine passport?
The Government debate the idea of a vaccine passport as proof of full vaccination required to enter venues like nightclubs. Health Secretary Sajid Javid later "ditched" the idea and ensured clubbers that they no longer need to be double jabbed by the end of September 2021 to get into Nightclubs or big events.
Do I need a booster jab?
Pfizer/BioNTech booster jabs are rolled out as part of the Government's winter covid plan. Shots can be given to people aged 50 and over, those in care homes and frontline health and social care workers. All those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and anyone aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group for Covid will also be eligible for a jab. There must be at least 6 months between a 2nd vaccine dose and a booster jab.
Oxford jab scientist Sarah Gilbert says booster jabs are "not needed for all" and that they should instead go to countries with low vaccination rates.
Will children be vaccinated?
The government have also made vaccines available to children aged between 12-15 as part of the country's winter Covid plan.
What about five to 11-year-olds getting vaccinated?
All 5 to 11-year-olds in England can now receive a coronavirus jab, following advice from the JCVI and the same decision being made in Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is also expanding their vaccination programme to include the 5-11 age range. It means almost six million children in the UK will be offered the Covid-19 vaccination.