Almost 1,000 Richmondshire residents received their first Covid-19 vaccine dose in two days earlier this week.
The national Pfizer vaccination programme kicked off in Richmondshire on December 22 and 23 at Tennants Auctioneers in Leyburn.
The roll-out was administered by staff from the Heartbeat Alliance group of local GP surgeries, with support from local volunteers.
The volunteers, who came from across Richmondshire, helped ensure members of the public understood the system and got to the right place.
The volunteers included members of Wensleydale Rotary, as well as churchgoers from across the district and a pool of more than 70 volunteers organised at the start of the pandemic by Richmond town councillor Ian Woods on behalf of the town’s Quaker Lane Surgery.
In total, 975 Richmondshire residents were vaccinated over the two days, with volunteers saying there were no adverse side effects being reported.
A two-shift system has been set up for volunteers and staff.
It is hoped the vaccination programme will be stepped up when the Oxford vaccine is available, with a six-day operation proposed at Tennants.
Cllr Woods is appealing for more volunteers to help with the programme in the New Year.
He said: “It is worth stating now that we need to be in this for the long haul.
“Each Richmondshire resident who qualifies for the vaccine will need two vaccinations so this will not be over and done with by January.”
Volunteers and NHS staff have thanked Tennants for their support.
Those waiting for the vaccine have been urged not to contact their GP or Tennants enquiring about the programme.
Instead, patients should be waited to be contacted when it is their turn.
For more information on volunteering to help the roll-out email Cllr Woods at ian.woods@thornton-le-moor.co.uk
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