Mission Accomplished

At 3:00pm on Monday 22nd November 2021, the last patient to receive a Covid vaccination from the Knutsford Medical Partnership was guided into the Knutsford Community Hospital by a team of marshals organised by Knutsford Rotary Club. It’s been a long road since the first patient was vaccinated at 8:00am on the 9th of January, but in that time, almost 40,000 Covid vaccinations (and up to 5000 flu vaccinations) have been administered by the dedicated medical team of professionals and volunteers inside the hospital. It has resulted in the vast majority of Knutsford over 18s being double jabbed and over 50s receiving their Covid booster and flu jabs at the same time.

The marshals’ organising team in the above photo, Alan Ingram, President Rick Dallimore, Keith Poskitt and Tony Booth would like to pay tribute to the army of over 160 volunteers, without whom the operation would not have been sustainable. They came in droves from Knutsford Hosts, We Are Knutsford, Catenians, Lions, Rotarians, friends and relatives, and even some who just called to offer help, and all pitched in for the 94 days the clinic was in operation. In total, it’s required 2235 man-hours of effort, sometimes in quite inclement weather, but some of the volunteers have logged attendances well into double figures and were still asking when they could help again.

“The response has been incredible” said Rotary President Rick Dallimore, “we feel honoured to have had the support of such a public spirited population. It’s been a pleasure to have offered a friendly and helpful service to all patients, particularly those who were apprehensive about vaccinations in general. It’s certainly the biggest public service project Knutsford Rotary have ever undertaken. Our motto of Service above Self applies not only to the Rotarians who took part, but to all those who gave up their time to help. A massive thank you and ‘well done’ to you all.”