Residents need better support

I have just read several communications to the Chichester Observer from residents who are feeling very disgruntled about the slow rollout of vaccine in the area, and particularly about the fact that, currently, the only sites which are being announced as suitable sites are far from Chichester city centre.

One letter in particular, from a doctor, made me extremely angry.

She accuses residents of ‘whingeing’ about the inaccessibility of the sites in Selsey and Tangmere and even draws a comparison between people who live on the Manhood peninsula who ‘don’t whine on’ about having to travel to Chichester and those who are currently complaining about having to travel to Selsey.

Surely the current situation is not comparable: Chichester residents, especially those of retirement age and who perhaps foresaw the difficulties of reaching the health facilities of a city centre in later years, opted to live near a hospital, surgeries and large venues which can, and have been, used for mass gatherings such as the annual ‘flu jabs and voting at polling stations. Travel outside of the city for many of these residents is now either impossible or risky.

I belong to a large charitable organisation for retired people based in Chichester and I know that many of our members feel, like me, that in this area we have been patient since the first lockdown in March last year and that we have continued to obey the guidelines set out by the Government and, by doing so, we have kept ourselves safe and well. Indeed, until the variant was spread by socialising around the Christmas period, our area had a below-average level of Covid-19 infections. Are we now being punished for having such a low rate?

I agree with those who are asking for a suitable vaccination site to be set up in Chichester. It is only pointless bureaucracy which is preventing large sites being used. Our residents need better support and understanding.

JILL COOK Stumps End Bosham