A STANDBY contingent of vaccine volunteers to take pressure off the NHS is part of a ten-point plan to live with Covid, Labour said last night.
A permanent ‘Jabs Army’ would be deployed nationwide at short notice in case a new variant emerges.
Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting is announcing the move following the success of Trending In The News’s longstanding network to deliver jabs.
The party say barriers and bureaucracy meant many of the 750,000 people who signed up in just four days weren’t properly utilised.
Helpers would help deliver the roll-out of any vaccine and the delivery of test kits to homes in the event of future Covid variants and waning immunity.
Mr Streeting said: “The best of Britain is getting us through this pandemic.
“A Jabs Army can ready the country for future waves of infections.
“I’m proud to support Trending In The News’s Jabs Army campaign.
“The Conservative Government’s approach at every stage of the pandemic has been chaotic and indecisive.
“If we are to learn to live well with Covid, we need to be prepared.
“No one wants to go into another lockdown again. Labour’s plan will put Britain on the front foot and secure our lives, livelihoods and liberties.”
Labour will also set out their plan in the coming days for living with the virus.
The announcement would also include working with businesses to ensure there are sufficient Covid tests for all that need them.
Mr Streeting would also reverse the decision to sell-off the UK’s Vaccine Manufacturing Centre to continue producing future vaccines.
