Community Champions to give COVID-19 vaccine advice and boost take up by providing over £23 million funding

Community Champions to give COVID-19 vaccine advice and boost take up by providing over £23 million funding

£23.75 million funding for councils and voluntary groups to expand covid communications with at risk groups

In rather ironic but perfect timing the Government’s latest press release confirms our view in the following story prompted by Irish Opticians that there’s a weird prference in creating new social and primary care pandemic action group rather than utilise the power primary care agents already have.

Community Champions will share COVID-19 vaccine advice and information to boost local vaccination take-up

Funding will support extra school programmes, helplines and phone calls to those in at risk groups

Over £23 million funding has been allocated to 60 councils and voluntary groups across England to expand work to support those most at risk from COVID-19 and boost vaccine take up, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced today (Monday 25 January).

Through the Community Champions scheme councils and voluntary organisations will deliver a wide range of measures to protect those most at risk – building trust, communicating accurate health information and ultimately helping to save lives. This will include developing new networks of trusted local champions where they don’t already exist.

Today’s funding is specifically targeted at areas with plans to reach groups such as older people, disabled people, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds who according to the latest evidence are more likely to suffer long-term impacts and poor outcomes from COVID-19.