A group of medical students from the University of Sunderland have trained to become junior vaccinators in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Last weekend, the students offered vaccines at The Parks Sports Centre in North Tyneside, under the guidance of Professor Scott Wilkes, who heads up the University’s medical school.
In September 2019, the University opened its first School of Medicine, which hoped to address the region’s chronic shortage of doctors.
The first pioneering cohort of students – now in their second year – are currently using their skills to help in the national vaccination programme.
Laura Giles, from Sunderland, who is a second-year medical student, said: "I was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to volunteer as a vaccinator, a role I never thought I would undertake until later in my clinical years.
"This rewarding opportunity allowed me to not only support the frontline through this pandemic but also provided me with vital experience and skills in gaining trust with patients.
"All the patients were extremely grateful for our help and it was a privilege to support the vaccination rollout."
The University has played a key role in supporting frontline staff throughout the pandemic, from graduating nurses heading directly into the region’s hospitals, to donating vital medical equipment to the North East’s NHS trusts.
Professor Scott Wilkes, Head of School of Medicine and Professor of General Practice and Primary Care at Sunderland, said: "I'm so impressed by the students’ commitment and desire to help in the pandemic vaccination effort.
"We have nearly 60% of our pioneer cohort, Second Year medical students, who have been trained as junior vaccinators which is a phenomenal response.
"At the weekend our four Sunderland medical students, Rebecca Bramley, Laura Giles, Zain Bahkat and Sophie Young worked alongside Newcastle medical students to deliver more than 2,400 vaccinations in North Tyneside.
"I was their supervisor on the day and extremely proud to see them put into practice their clinical skills to such great effect."
