Ipswich Buses driver Steve Harvey (pictured, second from right) has received The Suffolk Award in recognition of his support of the operator’s COVID-19 vaccination bus programme, which launched in March 2021 and has since seen over 320,000 doses administered.
Mr Harvey has supported the vaccination bus project from its beginnings with one vehicle through its expansion to use a second bus. He has undergone additional training to take on a role as administrator and infection control lead.
The operator chose to use a pair of Scania OmniCitys because of the model’s largely flat floor best suiting the requirement in hand. The second of those was added to the project in September 2021. Conversion work has seen the removal of much of the buses’ original interiors and the fitment of each of them with an electrical supply, three Perspex booths, a discussion area and a bed for any patient who may feel unwell.
Between them, the two Scanias have covered almost 6,000 miles around Suffolk and north-east Essex. They have also supported the vaccination programme in Norfolk.
Mr Harvey was presented with the award by High Sherriff of Suffolk Edward Creasy (pictured, right). He says: “I feel humbled and delighted. So many of us have been involved in this and I have met some fantastic people. I have really enjoyed it and the experience will stick with me for my whole life.”
Adds Ipswich Buses General Manager Stephen Bryce (pictured, second from left): “We have been delighted to do this for both our local community in Ipswich and then work further afield to cover the entire local health system. The highlight for me was seeing the one millionth vaccine in Suffolk and north-east Essex delivered from our bus at Ipswich Mosque.
“Since the bus first went live, I have been contacted by other NHS Trusts across the country asking us how we did it. It has been great to share our experience so people in other parts of the country could benefit.”
