Fire service support to get elderly and vulnerable vaccinated against Covid-19

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is again supporting communities during the Covid pandemic by playing an active role in the county’s vaccination programme – by helping to ensure that those who are vulnerable and want the vaccine can receive it.

Last week, the call went out nationally from health chiefs and the Government for anyone over 70 who has not yet received their vaccination and wishes to do so, to get in touch and book an appointment.

For several weeks now, the Service has been visiting the addresses of hard to reach vulnerable people who have not responded to the offer of a vaccination. The visits are part of the ‘Safe and Well’ programme, with those identified as benefiting from a visit being referred by a partner agency – in this case, the NHS.

Staff are undertaking quick doorstep visits to impart fire safety information and offer general home safety and health advice, but they are also taking the opportunity to promote the vaccine and collect data on behalf of the health service to confirm that they have been offered the vaccine.

If required, they will help to arrange the immunisation appointment too, if that individual wishes to receive it.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Alex Waller said: “Like previous initiatives before it, this is another example of how we as a Service are helping our communities through these difficult times.

“Delivering the vaccine is going to be a real game changer, and it’s important that we do everything we can to get as many people vaccinated as possible so that we can start to win the war on this virus.

“That’s why I’m so pleased we are offering this service for those who might be hard to reach or unable to take up the offer of a vaccination but want to. Everyone involved in this initiative should be rightly proud of their efforts.”

Clare Watson, Accountable Officer of Cheshire CCG said, “NHS staff, volunteers and local authority partners have been working extremely hard to make sure that everyone who is eligible has been invited for a vaccination but we know that there are people who for individual reasons have not arranged to have their vaccine.

"I wish to express my thanks to the Fire & Rescue Service in helping us to make sure that everyone is supported to get us back to some sense of ‘normal’ life.”

Meanwhile, staff and volunteers across the Service have also been giving their own time to help out with other Covid-related duties, including working as marshals at vaccination sites. This has been in addition to their day-to-day duties.

Alex added: “I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported the collective Covid effort, whether they are Fire Service staff or any other volunteers who are doing their bit. Our communities are lucky to have you.”