OF REALITY
GP reveals long first days of vaccine push Slow start is threat to Xmas millions target
Pensioner Carol Patrick in Bodmin
A GP has told of the Herculean effort needed to deliver Covid vaccines in the UK’s biggest inoculation drive.
The Mirror joined Dr James Lunn and his team as they protected the first wave of 30,000 patients targeted in their area.
They worked 20-hour days to get ready for the first deliveries of the vaccine.
By the end of tomorrow, they will have given jabs to 2,000 of their 18,000 patients, part of nine practices in North Tyneside Primary Care Trust.
But a slow start is threatening the promise made by Health Secretary Matt Hancock to get “several million” doses administered by Christmas.
Fewer than 140,000 people got a jab in the first week, due largely to setbacks in England, where GPs have complained that vaccinations had to be cancelled when batches did not arrive.
Pfizer has pledged to deliver five million doses by the end of the year.
Teams of pharmacists were drafted in to assist doctors, nurses and reception staff at a centre which has a series of booths protected by Perspex screens.
Working 12-hour shifts, from 8am to 8pm, they give jabs first to vulnerable groups, starting with the elderly.
Venues are not being disclosed as the roll-out is carried out by appointment.
LONDON
Lord Norman Fowler at Guy’s Hospital
Patients on Tyneside were contacted by text yesterday to tell them the NHS vaccination was under way. They will receive “an invitation to come forward”.
Dad-of-two James, a GP for 11 years, said: “I am very proud of the work. We’ve completed 975 vaccinations. By Sunday night that will be around 2,000. This first
I am very proud. We hope to have given 2,000 vaccines by Sunday night
wave is specifically for over-80s. Then we’ll have some targeted at groups like care home staff. When you get an email saying there are 1,000 vaccinations on the way, you have to make 1,000 appointments.
“In rural areas, people are travelling 30 to 40 miles to get it.”
The centre has staff in PPE kit waiting to greet patients, who are guided to use sanitiser, with masks worn. The floor is marked with arrows.
Retired postman Fred Gallon, 85, was among the first wave to get his jab, accompanied by his wife Sheila, 75, a former civil servant. The couple, of Longbenton, North Tyneside, had to cancel a trip to Australia for a wedding at the start of the first lockdown.
They are adhering to Government advice before making arrangements to see loved ones at Christmas.
“I am relieved more than anything,” said Fred, a great grandad and dad-ofsix. “You can hardly feel the jab. It is done and dusted in seconds. It is the best thing I could have done. I’ve been going out once a week to do shopping.”
Unless vaccination rates increase to more than 17,000 daily, fewer than 400,000 people will have received a first dose by Christmas Day.
Prof Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer, said on Wednesday its programme began “with a slow start” so it could be assessed closely.
Even if the jabs tripled week on week, it would mean 1.3 million doses delivered by December 25.
The data suggests the NHS is set to miss its target of vaccinating all vulnerable and key workers by Easter.
President Donald Trump yesterday said a second coronavirus vaccine, made by Moderna, is being approved.
The UK Government has secured seven million doses of the jab, which should be available in spring.
DR JAMES LUNN BATTLES TO MAKE THE ROLLOUT A SUCCESS