Liverpool University Hospital staff support COVID-19 vaccination bus

Staff from Liverpool University Hospitals are working with Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group and Knowsley Clinical Commissioning Group to encourage more people within local communities to receive their COVID-19 vaccination.

The mobile COVID-19 vaccination bus clinic, which is the second community vaccine partnership for the Trust, will be visiting areas of Liverpool where take up of the vaccine has been lower.

It follows last month’s successful launch of the Pier Head vaccination centre, located in the city centre at the Mersey Ferries Terminal, which is staffed by vaccinators from Liverpool University Hospitals.

Until September, the bus will be parked up at a variety of different locations across the city, making it as accessible as possible for people living in areas of low take up. It will be open to drop-ins for both first and second doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations.

Inside the vaccination bus

Diane Haddock, Associate Director of People (Occupational Health and Wellbeing), is also the Trust’s lead nurse for occupational health. In December 2020, she was the first nurse to vaccinate a patient at the Trust, 92-year-old ex-serviceman, Ray Grist, and is passionate about getting as many people as possible vaccinated:

“We know there are still large numbers of people unprotected against the virus in Liverpool. With cases of COVID-19 on the rise in our communities, we’re reaching out to those who haven’t yet taken up the offer of an appointment.

“Everyone over age of 18 is now able to come forward for their vaccination, and it’s the best way that you can protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness. If you have any concerns about the vaccine, please just come down and we will spend the time with you to help alleviate any worries.”

Steve Warburton, Chief Executive at Liverpool University Hospitals, said:

“This COVID-19 vaccination bus demonstrates the fantastic collaborative working with our fellow partners in the city. We’re proud to be working together to be able to vaccinate our communities.

“Staff from Liverpool University Hospitals have already helped to vaccinate over 90,000 people since the programme began, and by supporting the mobile COVID-19 vaccination bus, we hope to reach even more and help protect as many people as possible in our city.”

Dr Fiona Lemmens, Chair of Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said:

“We’re really pleased that Liverpool University Hospitals have come onboard to support the vaccine bus. We are using August to boost the number of younger people who are yet to come forward for vaccination, and protect as many people as possible by offering second doses, which need to be taken at 8 weeks after a first dose. Having the support of the team at Liverpool University Hospitals means we can take the bus in and around the city virtually every day throughout August.”

Dianne Johnson, Chief Executive of NHS Knowsley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said:

“Almost 80% of adults in Knowsley have already had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but we now want to reach those who haven’t yet come forward and make it as easy as possible for people to get their second dose too. The vaccination bus is bringing vaccinations closer to home for many people in our local community, and we’d really encourage people to drop in and use it when it’s in their area.”