BMF urges support for the Government's vaccination campaign

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is urging builders’ merchants and building materials manufacturers to encourage all colleagues to get the COVID-19 vaccine when eligible. The BMF has come together with other leading businesses, employer and industry bodies to help spread the message about the biggest vaccination programme in the UK’s history. They will urge member companies to do their part and do everything they can to ensure colleagues are protected and get everyone back to work safely.

The Government is calling on all UK organisations to introduce awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of getting vaccinated to employees. BMF members will be supplied with a range of promotional resources that will be co-branded with the NHS, providing accurate and reliable information to encourage staff to get the vaccine. BMF members will also be asked to provide flexibility for colleagues to attend vaccine appointments during work hours.

BMF CEO, John Newcomb, said: "The building materials community has been incredibly supporting of the NHS since the start of the pandemic, supplying PPE equipment during the initial shortage and joining the BMF's 'Builders' Merchants Supporting the NHS' scheme to offer NHS workers discounts at local builders' merchants.

"We are confident that our community will do everything it can to support the NHS once more by promoting vaccine uptake and making it as easy as possible for team members to attend appointments to get their jab."

Vaccine Deployment Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, said: "Vaccines save lives, they protect you and your loved ones from this terrible virus and they are the best way out of this pandemic. Thank you to all of the organisations which have joined this incredibly important campaign to promote vaccine uptake.

"I call on every business in the UK, no matter how big or small, to join the national charge and help your employees to access life-saving jabs when they are eligible."

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine

For BMF/NHS vaccine campaign resources, email Hannah.Taylor@bmf.org.uk