VOLUNTEERS are desperately needed to help with the mobile Covid vaccinations across Colchester.

Charity Community360 are supporting sites across the borough with the vaccine rollout and are looking for new volunteers to help distribute the life-saving jab.

Volunteers will help the vaccination bus, the repurposed Colchester SOS Bus, get the jab out in the community, visiting locations such as supermarkets and colleges as well as at events.

Tracy Rudling, chief executive officer of Community360, said: "We find ourselves at a crucial moment in the vaccination rollout.

"There is a real urgency to this, and we are working at pace to get all adults vaccinated as fast as possible.

"The vaccine bus will help to reach communities and those who may be hesitant to take the vaccine or don’t have time to keep to a set appointment.”

Volunteers need to be flexible with a particular demand at weekends.

They will help marshal queues, provide post vaccination support and encourage residents to have their jab.

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Liz Moloney, who leads the vaccination programme for the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System, said: “The vaccination programme in Suffolk and north east Essex remains one of the best performing in the country.

“Everyone involved has done a brilliant job in ensuring as many people as possible get immunised against the virus, in particular the public-spirited volunteers who have taken up supporting roles. We couldn’t have done it without them.

“At this stage of the vaccination programme we are organising a wide variety of pop-up and walk-in clinics to encourage take-up.

"The SOS Bus is key to ensuring the vaccine is available to all who are eligible.

“Now more than ever we would appreciate the help of local people to welcome people to the clinics, to marshal queues and to provide support to those who have just been vaccinated.

“I would urge anyone who can spare some time to help us to come forward and be part of our great team, even if it’s just for a few hours a week.”

The bus normally operates between 10am and 4pm but times vary depending on location.

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