Wait at vaccine centre ‘like a chip shop queue’
79-YEAR-OLD SHAKEN UP BY LACK OF SOCIAL DISTANCING
A 79-year-old woman who went to get the first dose of her vaccine at Hull’s KCOM stadium was left shaken after a lack of social distancing at the centre.
The elderly woman was within the next age range to be called up for the vaccine and was taken to the KCOM stadium by her daughter-in-law to receive the jab, but on arrival the pair were shocked by the queues.
Wishing to remain anonymous, the frightened woman’s daughter-in-law said: “As we got into the queue there were no markers, everybody was far too close.
“Once we got into reception area, which was about three metres wide, the steward let three people right in behind us.”
It was then that the woman informed the receptionist that her mother-inlaw had been shielding for months and that there were too many people in the unventilated room, forcing people to stand not even 1ft apart.
After getting their temperatures checked and hands sanitised, the two moved into the waiting room, where an a man had collapsed, forcing queues to be redirected, causing further safety issues. the
The concerned relative said: “They redirected the queue into the narrow corridor coming into all the treatment rooms, so as people were exiting they were walking into a queue of people, again no distancing.
“There were no markings, people were getting battered – two people struggled to pass one another. The corridor was full and it was an unventilated area. It was just shocking.”
She went on to say that stewards were “more concerned about the car park” than attempting to control people and put social distancing in place.
Describing the experience as “scary”, both women were left worried that they could have caught the virus as a result: “I dread to think if anybody in there had Covid today how many people it could kill.
“There was just no number limits on it, it was like a chip shop queue. “I’m so upset at what I’ve seen today and I’m so angry that we are in a lockdown and people are supposed to be helping the elderly but they are actually putting them at the greatest risk they’ve been in since last March.”
As a result, the 79-year-old woman came away from the KCOM stadium reluctant to go back for her second
Two people struggled to pass one another. The corridor was full and unventilated
dose, telling her daughter-in-law: “I hope I haven’t come out of there with Covid”, before returning home to continue shielding.
A spokesperson for NHS Hull Clinical Commissioning Group (Hull CCG) said: “Dr Ashwaq Al-hadithi, the GP lead for the vaccination session at the KCOM, has thanked people for their patience after healthcare staff had to manage a medical emergency earlier today.
“The person was taken to hospital after being taken ill in the entrance foyer. They had not received their vaccine at that point.
“The location of the emergency incident caused a temporary build-up in the queues outside. Staff have now caught up with the appointment times and those queuing now are mainly people who have turned up early for their appointment.”
Dr Al-hadithi said: “I would appeal for people to please attend their appointment as invited, but not to turn up too early and to wait in the car for their comfort in the cold weather and to help maintain good social distancing.
“I want to thank the staff who have managed hundreds of successful appointments today and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by the wait earlier.”
Daughter-in-law of vaccine patient