Thousands of people have volunteered to help at the county’s mass vaccination site in Bathgate.
Alan McCloskey, chief executive officer of West Lothian Voluntary Sector Gateway, said: “Within 24 hours we were able to fill shift rotas right through until the end of May.
“It really is a good news story. The response is a credit to the people of West Lothian.”
Mr McCloskey described the response in a meeting of the Voluntary Organisations Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel.
His report said: “VSGWL is coordinating volunteer support to the mass vaccination site at the Pyramids, Bathgate.
“The site is expected to operate seven days a week from February 15 through to August.
“It will be open from 8am to 6.30pm each day.
“To support the on-site health professionals and event management teams, we put out a call for volunteers to undertake meet and greet roles and guiding people to the correct vaccination areas and sign up for a range of shifts.
“There has been an astonishing response from individuals offering to help. Within hours of us creating a sign-up rota database, all three shifts aday, seven days a week through to the end of May have already been allocated. Between two and four volunteers per shift have signed up.”
HcL (Handicabs) is offering free transport to those with mobility issues to mass vaccination sites across the Lothians.
Mr McCloskey had that so great had been the reponse, the VSG was now drawing up reserve lists and was working in partnership with the local NHS and British Red Cross. He added: “It’s a very good partnership approach.”
Councillor Bruce Fairbairn asked about the age range and motivation of volunteers.
He said: “The overwhelming feedback is that they want to help others. That is coming through loud and clear.
“Some people may have more time on their hands because of furlough, but the message is the just want to help others.
He said the age range of volunteers was from 18 to 80.
Councillor Moira Shemilt said it was good news that the spirit of volunteering hadn’t run out of puff given the length of the pandemic.
Chairing the meeting, Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan passed on the thanks of one of her constituents who had recently been vaccinated and highlighted how daunting getting vaccinated might be for many who had not been out of the house for months.
She added: “It is absolutely tremendous that so many people have come forward and offered their support.”
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