Join our Jabs Army Reserve after we reached an astonishing 50,000 volunteers in just 18 days

AFTER an astonishing 50,000 volunteers signed up for our Jabs Army in just 18 days, The Sun is today launching our Jabs Army Reserves.

Signing up means you will be next in line when more steward volunteers are needed in your area as centres ramp up capacity.

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So far our incredible high-vis heroes have helped deliver 5,861,351 jabs nationwide as the battle against the virus begins in earnest.

And their hard work has not gone unnoticed by famous faces. 

Joey Essex said: “Big shout out to all the Jabs Army volunteers doing amazing work, make sure you get your Covid vaccine this is so important.”

John Barrowman said: “If we want this situation to end then we all need to come together and help. We need to work together as a team and part of that team with Jabs Army are the volunteers who are helping assist in getting the vaccinations done. They are vitally important to this process and that’s why I wanted to be part of it.

“The other part of that team is for everybody, no matter who, to get vaccinated. If we want to beat this thing it’s vitally important that everybody gets vaccinated so that we can do things like hug our parents, our grandparents, our family and friends. We can come back together as a nation and be healthy, safe and strong and the only way to do that is for everybody to get vaccinated.”

Sign up at nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk

Coronation Street actress Dame Maureen Lipman, 74, said: “I am getting my jab on Tuesday. I hate having injections and hide from the flu one every year.

“However, I am forcing myself to have it because I have to contribute to bringing some kind of immunity to our country – and to be able to embrace my grandchildren until they push me away saying ‘MOMO GET OFF!’”

Kirstie Allsopp said: "To give up your time to help in any way with the vaccine rollout is a brilliant thing to do, moving chairs, guiding cars, making tea it doesn’t matter what you do, you are making exactly the same contribution as those who are administering the jabs, from what I hear from family who have had the jab it is a big team effort – Go Team Vaccine, Bravo!"

And Judge Rob Rinder said: “We as a community need to respond to this crisis, and volunteering as a steward is the most amazing way you can be a part of the fightback against this terrible disease.

“The spirit of volunteerism is woven through our nation spirit – in all of Britain’s darkest hours, it was brave and selfless volunteers who came to the rescue.

“Sometimes the smallest thing – like downloading an app, and pledging your time – is actually the biggest thing you can do.

“Standing shoulder to shoulder with the oldest and most vulnerable in our society when they need us most represents the best that we can be. “

Call to arms – how MPs, celebs and big businesses backed our campaign

A HOST of celebs and politicians threw their weight behind Jabs Army as they praised kind-hearted Sun readers who signed up.

Their calls were led by Boris Johnson, who begged for volunteers to help 'return the country to normal life'.

The PM wrote personally to our readers, saying: "The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is a brilliant example of the power of collective action.

"It has already inspired companies and workplaces up and down the country to join the call to arms.

"So today, I call on everyone who has the time to join the legions of volunteers already signed up and to boost volunteer numbers further still."

Jeremy Clarkson urged Brits to get off the sofa and sign up to beat the lockdown blues.

He said: “Everyone is saying how bored they are. They’ve watched Netflix, gone through everything on the internet, read Google.

“Well let’s not be bored — let’s get off our bottoms and volunteer.”

His call was backed by a string of other celebs – including the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, who hailed our campaign as “fantastic”.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock saluted Jabs Army as he addressed the nation in a No10 press briefing.

He said: "Come and be a part of it. The Sun’s Jabs Army is marching and helping the nation.”

GMB host Piers Morgan branded the campaign as "excellent".

While celebrities like Bear Grylls, Gordon Ramsay and Bake Off's Matt Lucas have also thrown their support behind the campaign.

Politicians also praised our volunteers.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: “Having had personal experience of the health service, I am already one of its biggest fans. But I am impressed beyond belief at the thousands of people who have signed up to volunteer to help the NHS carry out the biggest vaccination rollout we have ever seen.

“Their selfless acts have enabled the UK to be one of the most efficient in the world at administering this Covid jab. It’s only by helping each other we will beat this awful virus.”

And Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans said: “It is certain that we would not be so far ahead with the jabs if it weren’t for their selfless contribution – three cheers for the entire community coming together and their legacy will result in a safer NHS, fewer deaths and a quicker end to lockdown Britain.”

The Sun teamed up with the Royal Voluntary Service at the beginning of the year and in just 18 days our target of 50,000 helpers was smashed – leading to the need of the Jabs Army Reserves.

Getting involved is simple, all that is needed is to register your interest at https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/nextinline by giving your name, email address and local authority.

Be a Jabs Army Reserve

Sign up and register your interest in becoming an NHS Volunteer Responder.

This will mean you are ‘next in line’ and will be contacted as soon as a suitable volunteer role becomes available in your area.

Steward Volunteer recruitment is now paused but other roles available may include Patient Transport, Community Response (shopping and medicine delivery), NHS Transport, Check in and Chat.

You’ll then be added to a database and when a spot becomes available in your area you will be called up.

Volunteers need to be between the ages of 16 and 64 and be in good health to be able to take part.

Nigel added: “Encouraging the army of volunteers has been a great campaign by The Sun. I am thrilled at how many volunteers have come forward to stand alongside the NHS vaccine roll-out. It really has been a massive boost to the speed at which huge numbers are getting their jabs.”

Yesterday Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett, Chairman of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Trust told how volunteers are vital for mass vaccination.

He said: “The country faces an enormous task and volunteers are utterly critical for us to meet it.”

The jab centres across the country are ramping up to meet the government target of vaccinating all over-80s by February 15.

Mass vaccinations will get the country back on its feet and everyone offered the inoculation needs to take it to help stop the virus spreading.

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