Latest answers from NHS on the roll-out

Residents in Chichester have continued to raise concerns about disparities in the vaccine roll-out across the area.

Leanne Ellaway said she feared it has resulted in a ‘postcode lottery’.

She said her elderly parents, who live in Soutbourne, and their friends had received no news about the vaccine as of Monday.

“However, those in Emsworth have had excellent access to the Covid vaccine to the extent that they are now at a point of focusing on priority groups 3 and 4 ( over 70s),” she said.

“Older people who have paid their taxes, given back to the community and are prevented from living their lives are facing significant inequality.”

A spokesperson for the Sussex Covid-19 Vaccination Programme said the NHS was still working hard to vaccinate those in the first two priority groups.

The spokesman said: “This week we also have the direction that over 70s are to begin receiving vaccination invitations. In Sussex, the NHS continues working hard to vaccinate the first two priority cohorts recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) – residents and staff in care homes for older people, those aged 80 and over and frontline health and care staff.

“Once services have vaccinated the majority of people in these cohorts, they will have the flexibility to offer vaccinations to the next two cohorts – those aged 70 and over and clinically extremely vulnerable people.

“This will keep up the pace of the vaccine roll-out, ensuring no vaccination appointments are unused and prevent wastage.”