Dec 2020
Mass vaccinations start across The Orders of St John Care Trust
Frontline colleagues in The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) care homes across the country are booking in for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Frontline colleagues in The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) care homes across the country are booking in for COVID-19 vaccinations.
The vaccination became available to social care employees today (8 December). OSJCT homes in Lincolnshire lead the way with 36 from Beckside care home in Lincoln being vaccinated at Lincoln County Hospital.
Ten more colleagues are booked in for tomorrow. Colleagues in Oxford, Henley and Chipping Norton are also booking in for their vaccinations and Gloucestershire colleagues have bookings available at Redwood Education Centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for all team members. OSJCT is working closely with local authorities and hospitals to ensure that colleagues in Wiltshire, Sussex and Suffolk have the same opportunity as soon as possible.
Details on how the vaccination will the rolled out to care home residents are expected shortly and OSJCT has pledged to mirror the swift and smooth roll out that we are seeing for employees.
Andrea Brooks, Home Manager at Beckside, is pictured having her vaccination this afternoon. She said: “As soon as we were informed that the booking system was live, we worked late last night to ensure that we could secure some slots. The response from my colleagues was great with so many willing to get the vaccination on days off or outside working hours because they know this is a great way to keep our residents as safe as possible.
“Having this vaccine available has really brought up spirits in the home – there’s a very positive feeling from all the team.”
Caroline Dunagan, OSJCT Regional Director for Lincolnshire, said: “Throughout the pandemic The Orders of St John Care Trust has taken a leading role in tackling this unprecedented challenge. We have taken part in pilot COVID-19 testing programmes and are now a key participant in the Vivaldi 2 study which seeks to determine how our antibodies react to the virus over time.
“Vaccination presents the best way forward to return to normality in our homes and we will continue to support all residents and colleagues in getting access to it.”
Patsy Just, OSJCT Regional Director for Oxfordshire, added: “It is excellent news that colleagues across the county are securing bookings so early in the process. Their commitment and skill have been inspiring for the past nine months.”