BACK THE VACC
DANCING brothers Curtis and AJ Pritchard urged younger people to step lively and get immunised after they visited a Covid vaccination centre with our brilliant Jabs Army.
Our fab 50,000 Sun volunteers have been on the front line as 53million vaccine doses have been given — with nearly 18million now fully inoculated.
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And with under-40s due to be the next group to be offered a jab, the Pritchards are keen for ALL to keep in step with the vaccine programme.
A study by the London School of Economics found that a third of young people aged 13 to 20 are reluctant to get the jab.
Former Love Islander Curtis, 25, said: “We want to say to you guys, get your vaccinations, because it is looking after yourself and it is keeping your family safe as well. Please, if you can, get it when offered. It’s easy, quick and a good day out.”
Curtis and former Strictly pro AJ, 26, joined our Jabs Army volunteers in Plumstead, South London today — and couldn’t resist having a boogie while they checked temperatures and gave out hand sanitiser.
AJ said: “We’ve not stopped smiling, from ear to ear, all day. The volunteers are here for the right reasons. They turn up every day and work their socks off.”
Both boys are keen to encourage people their age to take the vaccine when offered, as it is the only way out of the pandemic, and AJ added: “We will be getting our vaccines as soon as we can.”
Curtis said: “Some of my best friends have never had a vaccine in their life and I told them, ‘Just get it. They’re not going to create something to try to kill or control you. This is purely for safety’.
“I can’t say there won’t be any side-effects because we don’t know and I understand that, but this is the only way out of the pandemic.
“I’d love to have the vaccine. I know I’ll be offered it as soon as possible and I’ll take it.”
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AJ and Curtis followed in the footsteps of Vernon Kay, Sherrie Hewson, Shirley Ballas and Kay Burley, who have all done stints with our Jabs Army.
The Plumstead centre where they volunteered has not wasted a single vaccine, with staff often staying on late to administer jabs which would otherwise have to be discarded.
Doctors have been on the frontline in trying to persuade black and ethnic communities that the vaccine is safe, as this is where resistance is highest.
The LSE study found that two thirds of young black Brits are sceptical about getting a dose. But in the diverse borough of Greenwich, where Plumstead is, health teams have managed to increase uptake dramatically by spending time with each patient to ensure they know everything possible about the jab before making a decision.
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Dr Anuj Chaturvedi, a GP and Clinical Director of Heritage Primary Care Network, told AJ and Curtis: “We hear all sorts of reasons why people are worried about the vaccine.
“Some men think it will make them impotent, and a lot of American faith groups have suggested the vaccine causes a DNA change, which isn’t true. There are a lot of conspiracy theories.
“These vaccinations have been developed for everyone to use and it’s as safe as it can possibly be.
“We’ve found doing clinics at faith centres is helpful because often people are happier to have their jab if they know prominent members of the community have had it. We’ve seen a bigger uptake since we started doing this.”
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During their visit the boys also met volunteer Mary Cohen, who said: “It can be really busy at the centre but the process is very speedy. I’ve really enjoyed volunteering, everyone has been super-friendly and happy to get their vaccine.” Under Mary’s watchful eye the boys gave out hand sanitiser and checked temperatures — a high reading means possible Covid and the patient is turned away.
On the day of the brothers’ visit, Plumstead Health Centre gave 600 to 800 vaccine doses, and since opening in December last year they have administered 27,000.
Dr Chaturvedi added: “We have a reserve list to make sure we use up all the vaccine if people miss their appointment. Some of my staff have waited until 9pm to administer the jab, to make sure nothing gets wasted. Our normal day is 9am to 6pm.”
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Keep ready to join
ARE you a Jabs Army recruit? The Royal Voluntary Service is urging everyone who has signed up to be a volunteer to keep checking when they can help.
For the jabs rollout to keep up its momentum they need more volunteer stewards than ever to keep up with demand. This can be done by going on the GoodSAM app to see which shifts are available in your area. Then simply book yourself in to help.
Royal Voluntary Service Chief Executive Catherine Johnstone CBE, said: “We continue to be blown away by the incredible work of our Steward Volunteers. I’d like to say an enormous thank you to every single volunteer.
“Your time and effort has been nothing short of amazing. There are still lots more people to be vaccinated so please do stick with us and keep checking your GoodSAM app for shift updates.
“We’re also encouraging people to sign up to our Next In Line list – registering to be called on to become a Steward Volunteer if there is an increased need in your area. Please do sign up at .”
NHS Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens said of the Jabs Army: “Sometimes the worst of circumstances bring out the best in people and this is certainly true with the tens of thousands of volunteers who have stepped up to do their bit.
“So on behalf of everyone in the NHS, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all the Jabs Army volunteers and The Sun for this fantastic campaign which has been at the heart of the greatest national mobilisation since the Second World War.”
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MORAL SUPPORT
During their visit, the boys saw 24-year-old journalist Yasmin Ojo get her first dose and were surprised by how quickly it was done.
AJ said: “It’s not a hassle at all. You could do it on your lunch-break, it’s that quick.”
Volunteer Alka Gupta told them: “I take care of admin to make stuff easier for the doctors. We pitch in wherever we can to make the process go as smoothly as possible. It’s a fantastic atmosphere, it’s one of the reasons I keep coming back.
“Sometimes I go in with the patients for moral support while they get the jab, which is such a little thing but makes them feel much more comfortable.
“I speak several languages so I sometimes act as a translator for patients who struggle with English. We want to ensure they feel safe and understand what’s going on.”
When asked by a patient if he would be having the vaccine, AJ said: “As soon as I have the chance, I will.
“Our mum and dad have had it and Grandad’s had both doses. For us it’s a really positive thing to do. It’s about helping people.
Call to arms - how MPs, celebs and big businesses backed our campaign
A HOST of celebs and politicians threw their weight behind Jabs Army as they praised kind-hearted Sun readers who signed up.
Their calls were led by Boris Johnson, who begged for volunteers to help 'return the country to normal life'.
The PM wrote personally to our readers, saying: "The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is a brilliant example of the power of collective action.
"It has already inspired companies and workplaces up and down the country to join the call to arms.
"So today, I call on everyone who has the time to join the legions of volunteers already signed up and to boost volunteer numbers further still."
Jeremy Clarkson urged Brits to get off the sofa and sign up to beat the lockdown blues.
He said: “Everyone is saying how bored they are. They’ve watched Netflix, gone through everything on the internet, read Google.
“Well let’s not be bored — let’s get off our bottoms and volunteer.”
His call was backed by a string of other celebs - including the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, who hailed our campaign as “fantastic”.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock saluted Jabs Army as he addressed the nation in a No10 press briefing.
He said: "Come and be a part of it. The Sun’s Jabs Army is marching and helping the nation.”
Former GMB host Piers Morgan branded the campaign as "excellent".
While celebrities like Bear Grylls, Gordon Ramsay and Bake Off's Matt Lucas have also thrown their support behind the campaign.
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“I’ll feel relaxed knowing that my family are protected.”
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His brother Curtis gushed about how efficient the clinic is. He said: “It’s like a perfect conveyor belt, especially as they haven’t wasted any vaccine to date, which is incredible.
“What they’re doing works.”
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