HARLOW residents are being asked to volunteer as England’s Covid-19 vaccination and booster programme is stepped up.

Community and health services are urgently looking for more volunteers in Essex to help with the Covid-19 vaccination and booster programme.

Residents are being asked to spare a few hours a week to join in on the huge national effort to protect more people against Covid-19.

In England, the Government has set a new target to give boosters to those who are eligible by the end of the month.

Volunteers will be asked to help in a range of tasks – like being a steward or providing administrative support – with shifts starting from four hours.

Hazel Linscott, a Community360 vaccine volunteer said: “It feels like one of the greatest things I have ever done. I started volunteering at the beginning of the year and haven’t looked back since.

“I wanted to play a part in trying to put an end to this awful time and so decided to put my name forward to help.

“It is so fulfilling; you meet some wonderful people and I get great satisfaction of being part of an amazing group of volunteers. We are making a difference to get this world back up and running again and that to me is what it’s all about.”

Cllr John Spence, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “We’ve seen in the past how Essex stepped up to become volunteers when we desperately needed them. I have no doubt that Essex will step up again.

“Having your Covid-19 vaccinations as well as the booster jab is the only way out of this pandemic, and NHS can’t do this without the help of the hundreds of volunteers in Essex.”

There are a variety of tasks volunteers can do to help, including guiding people through the clinic, answering questions, sanitising seats and checking people have waited long enough to receive their booster.

To become a volunteer, residents can visit essex.gov.uk/news/could-you-volunteer-to-support-the-Covid-19-booster-roll-out?