Holly Willoughby and other celebs back The Sun’s Jabs Army 2 mission to get Britain vaccinated
THE Sun’s Jabs Army is again recruiting our incredible readers to make one more push in the UK’s Covid vaccinations blitz.
Nearly 66,000 have already helped save lives by volunteering as stewards at jab centres.
But with vaccinations now being offered to 16 and 17-year-olds, and boosters on the horizon, many more are needed. TV’s Holly Willoughby said: “If you can, please sign up.”
TV presenter and I’m A Celebrity star Vernon, 47, said: “The second phase of the campaign, launching today, is so vital to making sure we protect everyone in society, especially the most vulnerable.”
This Morning presenter Holly, 40, said: “It’s the final push. If you can help, please sign up to join the wonderful team of volunteers for the Sun’s fantastic Jabs Army.”
HOW TO JOIN
VOLUNTEERS can register online at or by scanning the QR code above with your smartphone.
You will be asked to download the GoodSAM Responder app, which will match you to a role.
You need commit to only two six-hour shifts a month at a jabs centre. Your expenses will be covered and no experience or qualifications are needed.
You will be in a team with NHS staff and volunteers. The Royal Voluntary Service will make appropriate background checks.
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There are 20 areas in England that are desperate for new recruits — from Bradford to Southampton.
Vernon added: “I’ve seen the spirit and smiles of the amazing volunteers first hand in my home town of Bolton.
"I was privileged to join The Sun’s Jabs Army earlier this year. More people need to come forward to help at the centres as they’re now struggling for volunteers.
If you can help, please sign up to join the wonderful team of volunteers for the Sun’s fantastic Jabs Army.
Holly Willoughby
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“Incredible medics, like Bolton’s Dr Helen Wall, have given their all this year to help get us back on our feet. Volunteering just a few hours of your time when you can will make a huge difference and keep us on track to getting back to normal. Please sign up if you can.
“Being able to see the smiles on the faces of both the vaccinated and the volunteers whilst I helped out in Bolton was a real eye opener. I’ve not seen happiness like that at the stadium since Bolton had a good run in the Premier League!
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“If you have the spare time I promise you that by helping out you’ll not only feel great but you’ll walk away in the knowledge that you’re helping the most vulnerable in society. The medics can’t do this without you, so please help out when you can.”
Our original Jabs Army campaign, launched on New Year’s Day — saw us partner with the Royal Voluntary Service to recruit 50,000 volunteer stewards — a target we smashed in just days.
The brilliant volunteers, who marshal car parks, help keep queues moving, wipe down chairs and provide a friendly face, have been vital in making our vaccine rollout a success.
Nearly 66,000 of our amazing readers have already volunteered as stewards at some 900 vaccination centres around the country. So far our Jabs Army heroes have donated an astonishing 867,042 hours of their time to make sure nearly 90million people have been jabbed against coronavirus.
The second phase of the campaign, launching today, is so vital to making sure we protect everyone in society.
Vernon Kay
In England alone, the vaccines have saved around 100,000 lives and prevented 24 million infections. Strictly judge Shirley, 60, another of our celebrity volunteers, said last night: “It’s more important than ever that people continue to get their jabs but they need your help.
“Please get behind The Sun’s Jab’s Army and help the NHS get teenagers vaccinated and prepare to hand out booster shots of the vaccine this autumn.”
Jabs Army has been hailed by PM Boris Johnson, members of the Cabinet and celebrities including Gary Lineker, Jeremy Clarkson, Ross Kemp, Matt Lucas and Prue Leith — many of whom have volunteered at vaccination centres.
Writing for The Sun today, Health Secretary Sajid Javid calls Jabs Army the “cornerstone” of the vaccine rollout spirit. He added: “They’ve gone above and beyond with a smile on their face and the hope of normality on the horizon.”
If you are one of our original Jabs Army volunteers who maybe took a break for the summer, or had to return to work after furlough, you can go straight to the app and check the “upcoming shift” tab.
Staff at the vaccination centres where the Jabs Army operates would be delighted to see you. Georgina Brennan, 35, was among the first recruits. She was the youngest volunteer at the centres she helped at around Manchester and urges more young people to get involved.
Georgina, a brand manager for the Co-op said “Wearing a high-vis jacket comes with responsibility and people look to us for advice and information, so it’s important that we’re confident in what we’re doing and saying.
“Volunteering has given me more confidence and I definitely want to continue volunteering after the pandemic ends.”
Furloughed Julie Benson, 46, volunteers for shifts near her home in Addingham, West Yorks, with husband Stuart. She says: “From the first shift I loved it, as much as my actual job! It gave me a new routine and I would plan my days around my stewarding shifts.”
Biomedical student Dhruv Patel did has carried out Jabs Army at centres in North London. Dhruv, 18, of Havering, East London, says: “I went in for my vaccine and I decided to be a volunteer.
“I sent off my application and got approved. I booked my first shift and I was helping keep the queue moving. This is my way of saying a massive thank you to the NHS for helping the country through this pandemic.”
Professor Sir Keith Willet of NHS England said: “Steward Volunteers do a fantastic job of freeing up our staff to focus on the task at hand. At this crucial stage we need these volunteers now more than ever so we can make sure as many eligible people as possible get all their jabs done.”
Sam Ward, Deputy Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service called on anyone who hesitated about becoming a Jabs Army volunteer last time, and didn’t get round to it, to join.
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She said: “Your time is more valuable to the vaccine rollout than you can imagine.”
So why not join Jabs Army 2 today — and help in the final push to get Britain back to normal.
‘Help add a brick to defences’
By Sajid Javid, Health Secretary
“Our vaccine rollout has been a truly outstanding national effort, from the staff working tirelessly in scientific, logistical and clinical roles, to the over 47 million people who have already rolled up their sleeves to help protect us all.
"The Sun’s Jabs Army has been a cornerstone of this spirit at vaccination centres. Come rain or shine, the tens of thousands of volunteers have answered people’s questions, pointed them in the right direction, kept queues moving and organised parking arrangements.
"They’ve gone above and beyond with a smile on their face and the hope of normality on the horizon.
"With that hope fast becoming a reality, the baton has passed through the age groups and is now firmly in the hands of our youngsters to lead us out of the pandemic.
"In England alone, the vaccines have saved around 100,000 lives and prevented 24 million infections. With everyone over 16 now able to come forward to get their first jab, they can each add a brick to our wall of defence against the virus which has forced us all to make sacrifices.
"I urge everyone who hasn’t done so to come forward for their vaccine and for readers of The Sun to keep building the Jabs Army legacy, by volunteering to help deliver normality back to the British people.”
Statistics
- 65,869 Jabs Army volunteers have worked at 900 vaccination centres and donated 867,042 hours