Page 44 - QARANC Vol 20 No 1 2022

44 The Gazette QARANC Association
Tireless efforts to plan mass vaccination centre in Cyprus
On return to the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) in the New Year, Covid positive cases spiked dramatically, with the number of daily cases reported on 3 January being five times the average for 2021.
From then until 20 January, Cyprus experienced 233,082 positive cases and with some families enduring back- to-back isolations, it was a frustrating time for many here at RAF Akrotiri (WHO, 2022). Military personnel and families alike had their patience tested, but we pulled together and acted responsibly to minimise the risk.
Capt Lilley, Sgt Patterson and SAC Morgan worked tirelessly to plan a mass vaccination clinic for all eligible adults, to be held in the chaplaincy centre. This couldn’t have come at a better time as, with a nursing team of only five before Christmas, even with the help of the brilliant paramedics, we were finding it challenging to keep PAX up to date with vaccinations in line with UK timelines.
There was a myriad of reasons for this including delays in overseas supply of the vaccine and ever- changing PAX being posted or coming to Aki for Ops.
The clinics kicked off on Tuesday 11 January, everything was set up and we nervously waited for patients to arrive. Clinics ran from 0700-1900 Tuesday to
Friday to try and meet the needs of our eligible service PAX, dependants, and civilian contractors.
The chaplaincy centre gave us the freedom and space we needed to mass vaccinate and for needle phobic and nervous patients, it was a huge benefit to step out of a clinical setting like the med centre into a more convivial, relaxed, and social atmosphere. With sweet treats to keep us going as well as help from key personalities such as WO Green (DPHC Overseas WO) and WO Finlay (Akrotiri SWO), morale was high throughout the week.
A nurse and a medic were assigned to each station and the whole event was a multidisciplinary effort. From MMP who ordered and thawed the
vaccines and pharmacy technicians who distributed them, to nurses, medics, paramedics and even dentists who did their bit to help roll out the vaccinations.
Our reception staff ensured it was a streamlined and organised affair, with excellent patient flow, especially on the first day when we received the highest number of patients. RAF and Army personnel alike were utilised to plan and carry out the mass vaccinations and it was a good chance for us QAs to meet different RAF personalities and PAX from many different cap badges.
A key motivating factor for many patients receiving their booster was the freedom to access shops and restaurants. Strict regulations issued by the RoC means seven months after a second vaccine, covid passes are deemed out of date and can no longer be used.
Debra Crowton, an MMP nurse who has newly joined us, stated she was “very impressed with how well organised everything was and felt included in a great team and such a worthwhile event”. This feedback was gratefully received as we strive to enforce an inclusive team ethos within military nursing, and Debra is an asset to the team, herself being a QA for nearly 22 years.