A surfer, chef and doctor are among the faces encouraging people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to arm themselves against COVID-19 by booking their jab.

The NHS and Cornwall Council’s public health team has joined forces with people working in our community to front a new campaign explaining why they’ve chosen to be vaccinated.

The Let’s do it for Cornwall campaign was launched on Friday, June 18 to tie in with the announcement that anyone older than 40 can bring forward their second dose from 12 to 8 weeks.

Everyone featured in the campaign had their vaccine for different reasons – and wanted to share their reasons with others to encourage people to do the same.

Iain Davidson, clinical lead for the vaccination centres, said: “We’re proud of our successful vaccination programme – rates in Cornwall are amongst the highest in the UK. Thank you to our amazing staff and everyone who has stepped forward to have the vaccine to protect themselves, their friends, and their loved ones.

“Vaccination is a big part our way out of this pandemic and our return to normality. Please book your appointment as soon as you can so we can protect ourselves and our loved ones, and get on with our lives.”

Since December 2020, nearly 700,000 first and second doses of vaccine have been put into the arms of people living in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Mr Davidson added: “I would also like to thank everyone who has been vaccinated, or has an appointment booked. No matter your age, job or where you live, by getting vaccinated you’re doing it for Cornwall. I hope the people featured in our campaign will inspire others to do the same.”

Kellie, 21, from Camborne who is taking part in the campaign is getting her first dose on 1 July at Stithians Vaccination Centre. She said: “Covid doesn’t discriminate and can affect everyone, I’m getting my vaccine to protect myself and others from the spread of Covid-19. The vaccine is safe and so easy to get, everyone should get booked in for theirs so that we can return to normality.”

Rachel Wigglesworth, director of public health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said: “The vaccine is a big part of our way out of this. It’s the way back to meeting up with friends, going on holiday and to keep on doing the things we love.  Everyone has different motivations, but the most important thing is to have the vaccine.

“It’s also really important that people get their second dose, you need both to be protected against Covid-19, so let’s keep each other safe, let’s do it for each other and do it for Cornwall.”

You can book your appointment via the national NHS booking service, or phone 119 free of charge.

 You may also have received a text invitation, which does not expire, appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’ and include a web link to the NHS website to reserve an appointment.