Meet the soldier swapping Larkhill for life saving jabs across the UK
This week we've been to #MeetTheVaccinators around the country
Last updated 27th Jun 2021
A soldier, based in Larkhill, whose day job is working with the British Army's Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System, has spent time during the pandemic doing something a little different.
Lance Bombardier Luke Thompson, from 31 Battery 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, has been helping administer the life saving Covid-19 vaccines across the country.
The 20 year old, and others from his regiment, were called into action last year as the government formed the Covid Support Force, formed by military personnel.
They were deployed onto a Mobile Testing Unit in the Midlands first, to commence community testing around the area.
Then late last year, when the first vaccines were being given out, they were called up once again to help out with the rollout and formed Vaccine Quick Reaction Forces.
Since his deployment Luke has been vaccinating the public in Cornwall, Wiltshire, Devon and is currently in Glasgow supporting NHS Scotland.
In Devon alone he believes he vaccinated over 2,000 people in a week.
Luke said:
"I was really surprised that we were going to do the testing and I had mixed emotions to be honest, I never thought I'd be doing this sort of thing when I joined the Army but it was a great feeling to do something to support the effort.
"We had a lot of very, very specific training to become vaccinators. We went on the NHS website and we did all the e-learning and medical staff then came to the unit and we practiced on oranges.
"Finally, we went to Bristol where we were supervised by NHS staff and we had a full day of vaccinating real-life patients.
"The public have reacted really well, they really like being around us. I think it's a great experience for the military to support the NHS and it has been the greatest honour to serve the public."