The low-cost airlines easyJet and Virgin have joined the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) to support its Covid-19 vaccination program.

The UK is currently into the third lockdown due to a new, highly transmissible variant of the virus gaining momentum.

Most crew members are now furloughed, therefore they can efficiently use their time helping with an immense inoculation effort. easyJet alone has over 3000 crew who are first aid trained, security cleared, and based in different parts of the UK. The cabin crew will be undergoing an online course and face-to-face training to become fully-qualified in injecting vaccines.

Johan Lundgren, CEO at easyJet, said: “We are delighted to be assisting the NHS in their efforts to protect the nation’s health and help to roll out this crucial vaccination program. We are incredibly proud that, once again, our crew can help to support the NHS and that we can play our part for the nation at this time – and I know so many of them will step up to help at this challenging time for the country. The progress the country is making on the vaccination program is an exciting and much-needed development. Once rolled out, it will enable normal life to return and is undoubtedly the key to unlocking travel again and enabling travel for work, to visit friends and family, or for a much-needed holiday. We are pleased and proud to be able to play our part and stand by ready to support wherever else we can.”

On Tuesday, Virgin Atlantic announced some of its pilots and cabin crew would also be recruited as vaccinators. British Airways will also encourage its staff to get involved in the jabs’ rollout.