No vaccine doses being wasted

DOSES of the coronavirus vaccine are not wasted when people miss their jab appointments.

A spokesman for the clinical commissioning groups in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland said: “Avoiding any wastage of vaccination is really important.

“There are strict rules on the use of the vaccine and any remaining dosages and we follow these rules in all the vaccination sites.

“It is disappointing when people don’t attend for their vaccination but we anticipate this may happen and try to have a reserve list of eligible people we can contact, according to the priority list.

“This is particularly important with the Pfizer vaccine, which has complex storage requirements and only a short window within which it can be given.

“We do therefore urge people to attend once they have an appointment.

“We follow up anybody who doesn’t turn up for their appointment to make sure they have the opportunity to be given the vaccine, as this will ultimately protect them and others from becoming seriously ill with Covid.”

The CCGs are planning to open a number of new vaccination centres as the roll-out continues.