The vaccination programme of 2021 to combat the spread of Covid-19 is the largest, quickest, and most comprehensive vaccination programme ever undertaken in the UK. Following a year of lockdowns, social distancing, and other restrictions, it represents the best chance the UK has of returning to some form of normal life. To live through this time has been to live through an historically unprecedented period of restrictions, stresses upon health services and social services, and through a radical reorganisation of family and social life.
The vaccination programme is not finished yet. Its success depends both on the dedication of those carrying out the vaccinations and all of the associated roles related to them, and upon people in communities and families making the decision to accept the vaccination as a vital step towards a better future for everyone.
This period in the history of the UK will be discussed endlessly in future, but it also needs to be documented and captured as it unfolds.
Lewisham Vaccination Stories is a project to document the London Borough of Lewisham’s vaccination programme in the words of the people of the borough. Mark Brown and Vicky Walker are both vaccination volunteers in the borough. They are collecting experiences from volunteers, people vaccinated and others in Lewisham who are making the vaccination effort possible.
Contact selccg.lewishamvaccinationstories @ nhs.net for any enquiries, press or to share your experiences.