Those who gave their time to help make the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire such a monumental success have been praised as part of local Volunteers' Week celebrations.

Generous people from all corners of the region have played an integral part of the local vaccination programme, with thousands having come forward to offer their time and energy ever since the first lifesaving vaccine was given in December 2020.

The collective efforts of all volunteers have now been recognised by local NHS officials as part of the region's participation in the annual Volunteers' Week. A celebration event for volunteers at the vaccination centre at Bath Racecourse was held on Monday 6 June, where they were thanked with a special tea party. Elsewhere, staff and volunteers from other vaccination centres have been gifted a with commemorative thank you pin badge, which highlights their key role in the lifesaving vaccination programme.

Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality, said: "A year ago, all of our lives were still being dominated by the continual threat of Covid-19, and it was only with the help of our generous volunteers that we were able to persevere and come out the other side with the vast majority of the local population fully vaccinated. "I'd like to say a special thank you to everyone who has donated their time to help the vaccine programme, especially all those who cancelled their Christmas and New Year plans at the last minute to help us deliver the booster vaccination at speed and turn the tide on the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

"Although Covid-19 is not making headlines in the way it once was, the virus is still present in our communities, which is why it's still so important for people to get vaccinated if they haven't already, and for people who are eligible to do so to top up their immunity with a booster jab."

In total, more than 2.2 million Covid-19 vaccinations have been given out across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, which means more than 89 per cent of the local population have received both primary doses and the all important booster dose. Additionally, almost three quarters (72 per cent) of those eligible for a second booster, such as those aged over 75 and people living in care homes, have so far come forward. Vaccinations continue to be given at venues across the region, including the larger sites at Bath Racecourse.