POST PROPERTY
Sources claim Covid vaccines are being given out privately
A ‘BLACK market’ for life-saving defibrillators has sprung up, fuelling thefts from key public locations.
A warning has been issued after two were stolen in Dudley, sparking calls for tougher punishments for thieves.
One device was taken from outside Upper Gornal Methodist Church, Upper Gornal, between February 20 and 22, while a second was stolen from Mount Tabor Methodist Church, Woodsetton, between February 1 and 26.
No arrests have yet been made but West Midlands Police said officers were regularly patrolling sites where other defibrillators were located.
Carol Littler, unit manager at St John Ambulance in Sedgley, said: “We understand West Midlands Police had only two recorded cases of defibrillator theft in 2018, yet we’re aware five have been stolen in Dudley borough within the last 12 months alone. Clearly a black market has developed.”
Adam Aston, an Upper Gornal and Woodsetton councillor, said he is in the process of setting up a petition to request a change in the law to categorise the theft of medical or lifesaving equipment as aggravated offences, which carry a lengthier sentence.
ILLEGAL Covid jabs are being given out to private patients in Birmingham in exchange for cash, it has been alleged.
Sources claim vaccines are being offered after reports an Oxford councillor travelled to the city to get the jab from a ‘private care doctor’.
Cllr Jamila Azad has been suspended from Oxford Council’s Labour group after she posted photographs on Facebook of the vaccine being administered inside an unnamed clinic.
The social media post by Cllr Azad said: “My darling daughter took me to a Private Care Doctor for Covid 19 vaccine. A long wait for NHS waiting list. We had take away from Akber take away.”
Health officials say they are also investigating the matter to see if any regulatory offences have been committed.
It is believed after the jab she travelled to Birmingham’s Akbar restaurant on Hagley Road, Edgabston, for takeaway food. Photographs, which appear to match the restaurant’s decor, were also posted on Facebook by Cllr Azad.
The post has now been removed but also included images of the councillor and another woman receiving jabs from a man in medical gear and wearing PPE.
Two sources, who wished to remain anonymous, have said the jab was given in Birmingham.
Cllr Azad, of Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council, has now been suspended from the Labour party pending further investigations.
In response to a request for comment from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Ms Azad said she did not want to comment, and asked the LDRS not to contact her again.
The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed it is illegal to administer vaccines outside of the NHS. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency also has the power to take enforcement action.
Lynda Scammell, senior enforcement adviser at MHRA, said: “We are looking into the matter to determine
whether regulatory offences have been committed. Coronavirus vaccines approved for use in the UK are available only via the National Health Services of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
“Vaccines that are not authorised for use in UK, and if purchased from outside the legitimate NHS supply route, cannot be guaranteed to meet standards of quality, safety and effectiveness.
“According to the prioritisation guidance, you will be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a GP surgery or pharmacy local to you, to receive your vaccine. Remember, the vaccine is free of charge and at no point will you be asked to pay or provide your bank account or card details.”
A joint statement from Susan Brown, leader of the Labour Group at Oxford City Council and Liz Brighouse, leader of the Labour Group at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Following a recent post on her Facebook account about her Covid19 vaccination, Cllr Jamila Azad has been suspended by the whips of both the Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council Labour Groups, pending further investigation. Cllr Azad has now removed the post in question.
“We will be making no further comment on this matter until formal investigations into it have been completed.”