This is absurd we need a major centre right here
MP SLAMS GOVERNMENT’S ‘BAFFLING’ DECISION TO NOT HAVE VACCINE HUB IN YORKSHIRE
HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman has said he is “absolutely baffled” after it emerged that none of the new NHS vaccination centres due to open shortly is based in Yorkshire. Hundreds of thousands of people aged 80 and over are being invited to book a coronavirus vaccination at the new NHS vaccination centres that open this week.
The first 130,000 letters began arriving on doormats this weekend with more than 500,000 following this week, with the national vaccination programme “rapidly accelerating”.
The letters have been sent to people aged 80 or over who live 30 to 45 minutes’ drive from one of the seven new sites and explain how they can book a slot - over the phone or online through the national booking service.
But the nearest to Yorkshire is Newcastle or Manchester.
The centres can each deliver thousands of vaccinations every week.
Mr Sheerman, who is anxious for vaccinations to be carried out 24/7 and seven days a week, said: “This is an absurd situation.
“We need a major centre central for millions just off the motorways and we have it - the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield - get it open now, not in a few weeks’ time.
“Open it now and get it working seven days and even nights if we can find the staff.
“Wake up Boris Johnson and NHS England, this a national emergency with this deadly virus ‘out of control,’ tighten and toughen the lockdown to its strictest level and get people vaccinated now.”
Nurses, doctors, physios and other NHS staff working nearby are also being jabbed at the centres, along with social care and care home workers.
Mr Johnson said: “With Covid cases at record levels and a tragic number of people losing their lives to this vicious disease, we are once again asking everyone to stay at home in order to stop its spread and protect our NHS.
“Our plan is to vaccinate as many people as possible across the entire United Kingdom as quickly as we can.
“And with more than 1,000 vaccination sites across the country, including seven new mass vaccination centres, we will help protect hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people over the coming weeks as we accelerate towards offering 12 million people the jab in England by the middle of February.
“There are deeply challenging weeks ahead, but today signals another significant step forward in the race to protect the public, and defeat the virus.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Through our vaccine delivery plan we have already provided a first dose to more than 1.2 million people in England and we are mobilising the government, NHS and the armed forces as part of a massive national effort.
“The vaccination centres are an important milestone and will help accelerate the rollout further.
“They will work hand in hand with GPs, pharmacies, hospitals and care homes to offer vaccines to everyone in the top four priority cohorts, saving thousands of lives and helping us start to return to normal in the future.”
One vaccination centre will open in each of the seven NHS regions this week with many more expected to be up and running by the end of the month.
The vaccination centres are an important milestone and will help accelerate the rollout
further.