Mass vaccination

sir – The warning by GPS that a mass vaccination campaign is “impossible to deliver” (report, November 14) is largely misplaced and highlights the inability of the NHS to think outside its antiquated systems, which are not designed for national emergencies.

The act of administering a vaccine can be taught safely to laypeople in 15 minutes. Vaccination centres could be overseen by medical professionals, at favourable ratios, with no greater risk to individuals. The Human Medicine Regulations (Section 12) already legislates for members of the Armed Forces to administer medicines.

Lord Crisp’s report in 2007 emphasised how we should learn from resource-poor countries when it comes to delivering mass, low-tech healthcare. The NHS needs to start looking at what can be achieved by looking outwards, rather than what can’t through looking inwards. James Moore

Director, International Diploma in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow

sir – Doreen Chambers (Letters, November 14) is “wary of having the vaccine yet as it has not been tested long enough”.

She is entitled to her opinion, but let us hope that she is in a minority, or else lockdown may never be lifted. Dr Michael Pegg

Esher, Surrey

sir – The over-eighties should be vaccinated first (Letters, November 13) because, if they become infected, they are likely to have worse symptoms and also to be in hospital for long periods. This would take up valuable bed space. Dr Harry Barnard

Menai Bridge, Anglesey