More than 30,000 volunteers have signed up to deliver the national Covid-19 vaccination programme through the charity St John Ambulance.

The charity has announced that more than 30,000 have signed up to administer the vaccines and support those benefitting from the programme, at vaccination centres nationwide.


This makes a significant step up in the charity’s service delivery amid the pandemic and is one of the most high-profile volunteering initiatives undertaken during the health crisis by a charity.

#StJohnPeople are playing an essential role at vaccination centres across the country, by administering injections and caring for people before, during and after their jabs. We are incredibly proud of how they’re assisting the @NHSEngland COVID-19 vaccination programme. pic.twitter.com/X5c3wK98hh

— St John Ambulance (@stjohnambulance) January 19, 2021

“St John Ambulance's highly skilled volunteers have been working to support the NHS throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Now we're helping to deliver a national vaccination programme,” said the charity.

“To do this we're training more than 30,000 volunteers. Using our longstanding expertise, we are empowering people with vital clinical skills and the confidence to use them.

“All volunteers will meet strict selection criteria, mandated by the NHS, and receive appropriate clinical training. This includes official courses developed in partnership with and approved by NHS England. As well as extensive training, they will be subject to assessments and clinical supervision to ensure their own safety and that of everyone receiving the vaccine.”

Last year St John Ambulance announced “significant cost-saving measures” as it looked to secure its long-term future amid the pandemic. This involved the closure of around a third of its buildings.

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