Leeds featured in never-seen-before photos showing 'heroics' of Covid-19 vaccine programme

The never-seen-before photographs capture moments across the UK in museums, stadiums and cathedrals over the past few months as efforts continue to vaccinate the nation against the virus.

The series of images, taken by photojournalists Jude Palmer, Glenn Edward and Liam McBurney, showcase the size and scale of the UK-wide vaccination programme and have been published by the Government ahead of a new campaign urging under-50s to get the jab.

Pictures include smiling portraits of vaccinators and volunteers, a bird's eye view of socially distanced patients awaiting their jabs in Salisbury Cathedral, and an elderly couple holding hands at a vaccination site in Ulverston, Cumbria.

The three photographers captured the images throughout February and March as they travelled to mobile vaccination units, care homes and pop-up vaccination sites.

Jude Palmer captured life at Wetherby Medical Centre.

Ms Palmer said: "While the pandemic has been an incredibly difficult time in our history, it had to be documented.

"It's been an honour to witness the incredible rollout of the life-saving vaccine first-hand and document this in a meaningful, compassionate way.

"The photography project tells many genuine stories of people involved in the vaccine programme and those that have come forward to have their vaccine already, from their smiles, laughs, nerves, and sighs of relief as we get one step closer to a more normal way of life."

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the images provide an opportunity for people to look back on the vaccination programme and reflect on the efforts made to protect those most vulnerable to Covid-19

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "These incredible photographs show the heroic efforts of thousands of vaccinators and volunteers in every corner of the UK who have given so much to protect the most vulnerable in our society against this cruel virus.

"While there is much to celebrate with over 45 million Covid-19 vaccine doses administered so far, the battle is not yet over.

"I urge everyone to do their bit - when you get the call, get the jab."