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We are delighted to announce that UHP’s Mass Vaccination Team has been shortlisted for the HSJ Covid Vaccination Programme Award. Their extraordinary approach has seen them build true vaccine confidence whilst working collaboratively to safely provide reassurance in rolling out the programme and contributing to the greatest mass vaccination programme in history.

This award recognises local teams and systems for the effective planning and delivery of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme. Judges are particularly interested in the innovative resourcing solutions and collaborative cross-sector partnerships that have been developed, and to learn how diverse citizens were engaged with the programme through its successive phases.

The team has previously been recognised as being one of the five best performing nationally and the top outreach service. Initiatives have been developed at such a pace that working relationships, both internally and externally, have blossomed and created effects that will last long after the programme ends. Home Park, our mass vaccination site is #1BigTeam and the success of it, is a combination of all those working together, including our 969 phenomenal volunteers who donated more than 75,000 hours of their time, to provide a service and deliver a programme in such unprecedented circumstances. Initiatives such as being the first site to open overnight, had been recognised nationally and Prime Minister, Boris Johnson kindly mentioned the team within his briefing, praising the team for running regular late-night sessions until 2am.

The enthusiasm and commitment of these individuals from interdisciplinary teams during such a stressful time was exceptional. Our colleagues and volunteers have contributed daily, going to extraordinary lengths to support the vaccination programme and play an essential part of the team. When called to action in December 2020, our workforce truly delivered and they continue to be engaged and dedicated to the programme.

Sue Wilkins, Director of Mass Vaccination and Flu adds, “In not being surprised such a fabulous team have been shortlisted, it does not detract from how delighted we were to learn that the commitment and hard work of so many has been recognised in this way. As much as delivering vaccine is now seen as ‘business as usual’ this is testament to so many people who have ensured, for over 18 months now, that the local population have an exemplar vaccination offer available- not just at Home Park but at many ‘pop up’ and alternative venues. The setting up of such a service was unprecedented; we will not forget how extraordinary it was, and the commitment of so many, in ensuring the response was the best it could possibly be.”

Best of luck to our colleagues for the final rounds of the awards.