An Elvis impersonator, a Drag Queen & a Bake Off Winner - it's time to #MeetTheVaccinators
We shine a spotlight on the brilliant work of volunteers, doctors and nurses who are dishing out the coronavirus vaccine across the UK.
Last updated 21st Jun 2021
A Bake Off winner, an Elvis impersonator and a contestant from RuPaul's Drag Race...
Just some of the people who have dedicated the last seven months of their lives to join the battle to defeat Covid-19 as part of the UK vaccination programme.
To celebrate the dedication, and hard-work of the UK's vaccine army, we're shining a spotlight on the doctors, nurses and volunteers who, jab by jab, are putting us on a path to freedom.
Among them is 2019 Bake off winner David Atherton, issuing jabs in London, former Elvis impersonator-turned-GP Andy Mason in Suffolk and Drag Race contestant Cherry Valentine dishing out the vaccine in Lancashire!
#MeetTheVaccinators
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
#MeetTheVaccinators: The stats
We can reveal that since the start of the UK Vaccination programme 80,000 people have signed up to be part of the fastest inoculation programme in history.
Working across more than 3500 sites, vaccinators have been issuing Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca, or Moderna jabs into arms since the 8th December 2020.
200,000 people also signed up to work as stewards to make the process run more smoothly and their commitment is paying off - so far more than 73 million vaccinations have been handed out, with more than 58% of the UK receiving both doses.
In King's Lynn and West Norfolk some of those volunteers have helped fully vaccinate over 103,000 people, with 78% of the local population having now had at least one dose.
WATCH: Heather Munro signed up to support the vaccination programme to give something back to the NHS after she was involved in a car crash in 2019
All this week, we're using the hashtag #MeetTheVaccinators to celebrate their achievements and share their stories as we make the push for full vaccination, and the end of lockdown.
Ollie Needham is one of the many volunteers helping with the vaccination effort in Norfolk.
He's been juggling helping out at vaccine hubs with volunteering as a district event lead, working as a community assistant practitioner for the NHS, AND studying for a foundation degree.
He told us why he decided to get involved: "The opportunity came to see what I was witnessing in the hospitals, and I thought well you know what this is a really good opportunity, and really up my street.
"So that's why I was like you know what I really want to get involved with that, for all the patients I'd seen at that time in hospital, really spurred me on to get involved."
Vaccine roll-out 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.