Rich are trying to jump the vaccine queue

WEALTHY people in Britain are offering thousands of pounds to try to push ahead of the queue for the coronavirus vaccine.

Jabs are being prioritised for older care home residents and their carers, people aged 80 and over, and frontline health and social care workers.

There is no way to get vaccinated other than through the NHS.

But rich patients are understood to be making daily requests to private clinics to pay for a jab. Dr Roshan Ravindran, owner of Klnik, a private clinic in Wilmslow, Cheshire which has rich and famous clients, told the Sunday Times: ‘I had someone say, “I’ll give you £2,000 for the vaccine.”

‘People inquiring of it often have had a relative who has passed away – the virus hasn’t been selective.

‘The poor and rich have all been affected and all lacked control. And so now, what people are looking for is a degree of control.’

People have been told not to contact NHS trusts asking for vaccines but to hold on until they are invited to get a jab.

Dr Ravindran said that he has informed people they will have to wait to get a vaccine, adding: ‘It’s priceless. I have people with almost infinite money who would do anything because they’ve had relatives pass away with Covid.’

The UK has secured early access to 35 million doses of seven different vaccines – three of which have so far been proven to work – but some believe private jabs will become available at astronomical prices for those who can afford to pay.

Dr Mark Ali, medical director of the Private Harley Street Clinic, told the Sunday Times: ‘It is important that elderly and vulnerable people receive the vaccine first.

‘But once that process is up and running, private practice may have a crucial part to play in mass rollout.’