Covid vaccinations
wait goes on for city’s mass vaccine hub
HEALTH secretary Matt Hancock has been criticised for a ‘frustrating lack of clarity’ over when a critical coronavirus vaccination centre will open.
The Tory minister came under fire after failing to say when the government would provide the vital equipment needed to open up the facility in Portsmouth.
As revealed by The News last week, St James’ Hospital in Milton has been earmarked by health planners as one of the region’s new mass vaccination centres.
Those behind the ambitious scheme had hoped the site would be ready to launch as early as next week.
But there are fears that if the kit needed to store and issue the vaccine – as well as the medicine itself – isn’t delivered soon, the programme could be delayed.
Demanding answers during a parliamentary debate yesterday, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan asked Mr Hancock when ‘hardworking staff and volunteers’ would receive the ‘doses and equipment’ needed to open the centre.
Responding, Mr Hancock told the handful of MPs physically attending the Westminster session: ‘The kit will be delivered on time – over 98 per cent of vaccines have been delivered on time.
‘Of course there is always, in a very large logistical effort, the occasional hiccup but I will get back to (Mr Morgan) to make sure the minister for vaccine deployment will get back to him with the precise details of when the kit will arrive at his local hospital.’
Speaking to The News after the debate, Mr Morgan said he was disappointed by the response, which he argued lacked clarity and urgency.
‘We all want to see the St James’ hospital vaccination centre in our city open as soon as possible,’ the Labour shadow minister added.
‘It’s frustrating that the health secretary wasn’t able to provide the clarity hardworking staff and volunteers on the ground need at this crucial juncture in our efforts to vaccinate Britain.
‘I will continue to hold the secretary of state to his promise to write to me to provide this information as soon as possible.
‘Our local NHS is ready. The government must now deliver.’
We all want to see the St James' hospital vaccination centre open soon. Stephen Morgan, Portsmouth South MP