'Jabbernaut' to help with Highland COVID-19 vaccine drive
The mobile unit has been built by Highland Council to help with the vaccine roll-out
Last updated 1st Mar 2021
A mobile unit will be travelling across the Highlands to help give out COVID-19 vaccines.
The 'jabbernaut' has been built by Highland Council to help NHS staff with the jags.
The lorry's trailer has been turned into a fully functioning vaccination centre on wheels which meets both medical and vehicle safety requirements.
Cllr Allan Henderson Chair of Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee praised Council staff for their partnership approach to tackling coronavirus in the region.
He said: "I commend Council staff for their creativity and very positive approach to partnership working with NHS Highland to create the Jabbernaut and I thank the Cairngorm Group for their very generous donations of new windows and doors for the build.
"The Jabbernaut will help enable NHS staff to deliver their vaccination programme across Highland regardless of location."
Dr Boyd Peters, Medical Director for NHS Highland, added: "The Highland Council teams have really understood our needs and what we require in order to deliver vaccines to the population.
"The vaccination programme in NHS Highland continues to progress well and with the introduction of the Jabbernaut I look forward to seeing that progress continue."
Chris Dowling, Joint Managing Director, Cairngorm Group said: "It’s been well publicised that our best way out of this pandemic is through the vaccine programme so we are delighted to be able to play our part in help making this happen.
"The geography of the Highlands has always meant we would need a bespoke approach compared to other parts of the country so the staff at both NHS Highland and Highland Council should be applauded for their forward thinking."
Mike Cooper Highland Council’s Transport and Logistics Manager says Council staff are very pleased to respond to NHS Highland's call for a mobile unit.
He said: "We bought a unit and 40ft box trailer and then constructed and kitted out the trailer as a vaccination centre which meets all the medical and vehicle safety requirements."
The Highland Council is also supporting NHS Highland in the vaccination programme roll-out by providing a welfare vehicle; supply vehicle and drivers in the delivery of vaccinations to Highland communities, along with help in identifying and using other venues where needed.
The Council’s school nurses team is also helping to administer vaccinations.
The local authority say vaccinations at the Jabbernaut are by appointment only.