Valley in race to beat Covid
Urgent appeal sees‘300 per cent rise’in vaccine demand
HEALTH bosses reported a ‘ 300 per cent rise’ in demand after an urgent jabs appeal went out last week to take up surplus vaccines.
Walk- in vaccination sites are now operational in Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Bacup for any adults.
Council leader Alyson Barnes told the Free Press: “Regular testing and vaccinations are one of the best ways of bringing the virus under control and stopping the spread.
“The people of Rossendale have done so much in helping to achieve this.”
However, there was confusion and anger when it was announced the Rossendale Health Centre site would shut last weekend, with some residents complaining of appointments not being met.
AN “amazing” response to an appeal to get surplus Covid-19 vaccines into arms was hailed as jabs become available for every adult in the borough.
Health bosses reported a ‘300 per cent rise’ in take up after a jabs appeal went out last week to use them or lose them - with surplus vaccine available at the Rossendale Health Centre vaccination site.
However, there was confusion and anger when it was announced the Rawtenstall centre would shut last weekend, with some residents complaining of jab appointments not being fulfilled. It has now reopened.
Last week we reported that Rossendale was being classed as an ‘ enhanced response area’, and walk-in centres with no appointment necessary are now operational in Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Bacup. Rossendale council said the temporary facilities are offering both Pfizer and Astra Zeneca doses.
On Thursday, MP Jake Berry issued a plea for residents to not let precious doses go to waste as it emerged unused vaccines at the health centre needed using within four days.
However, one mum replied to a Rossendale council social media post: “I took my son down to the walk in Thursday and was told he needed to make an appointment. He made an appointment for today (June 18), got confirmation email and a second email reminder. I took him down for it and there was no-one there and it was locked up. Just seen another post saying no vaccinations this weekend so why give appointments? Absolute shambles Rossendale Council!”
Another added: “So my partner has just been down and it’s shut.”
Council leader Coun Alyson Barnes said that by the time they obtained the necessary permission to keep the building open over the weekend, staff had been set down.
She said: “We tried to get the information out that Rawtenstall wasn’t open but Bacup still was. Haslingden is in place now so there are three walk-in points.”
Speaking generally about the increase in roll-out, she added: “I think it’s the product of surging. When you decide you are going to put all your focus in one area you just go for it. The message we got part way through last week was that we were at risk of seeing some of the vaccines go to their sell by date. As far as I know they all got used, and certainly they were very pleased with the response we got through social media.
“The vaccinations process here has been run really well because people are going along and getting their jab. The more we can push people while those vaccinations are available, the better.”
Anyone 18 or over can go to one of the Valley’s walk-in vaccine sites without an appointment and get their jab. The vaccination site in Haslingden on the car park at Winfields opened this week. The vaccine site in Bacup, which is situated just behind the council offices, will be there until Sunday, June 27.
According to the gov.uk website 59.2 per cent of Rossendale adults have now been double jabbed, with 78.1 per cent having received one dose. The number of positive Covid tests in the seven days to June 22 rose by five from the previous week to 252. There have been 147 Covid deaths in Rossendale during the pandemic.