Don’t blame the public for the sluggish rollout of booster vaccines

SIR – I was angry to read in your report (October 20) that the NHS is blaming patients for the low uptake of Covid booster vaccines.

I am in my 70s and would get my jab immediately – if only I knew where I could. To add to my frustration, over-50s are now being urged to get flu vaccinations, just as my own appointment has been postponed by a month.

Jill Bocquet

Glastonbury, Somerset

SIR – William Boog-scott (Letters, October 20) had no trouble getting his booster vaccine. Not all of us have been so lucky. My second Covid jab was on April 16. In spite of trying to obtain one sooner, the earliest I can get the booster from my GP surgery is November 27.

Can we assume that the NHS has taken complete responsibility for this rollout, hence the current mess? Bring back Kate Bingham – pronto.

Dr Chris Topping

Pilling, Lancashire

SIR – I had my second Covid shot on April 10. On October 15 I received a text message from my doctor announcing an unexpected booster clinic the following day.

By 9.05am on Saturday I was in the surgery, arm bared. The doctor then asked whether, since they’d just had a delivery of over-65s flu vaccine, I would like that too.

Of course – and now that’s both of them done well before Christmas. Robert Britnell

Canterbury, Kent

SIR – If we are being encouraged to get booster jabs because our immunity is beginning to wane, presumably we will need to do it again in six months’ time – and then again six months after that. When will it end?

Ann Wright Cambridge

SIR – I was in my local pharmacy last week and inquired whether it would be offering flu jabs. I was told that it was already doing so, and that I could have one straight away. Why can’t more people be made aware of this service, thus alleviating GPS’ workload? Elaine Winter

Whyteleafe, Surrey

SIR – On a recent trip to Switzerland and France, we felt confident that everything was being done to minimise the risk of Covid transmission.

Every shop, restaurant and museum required the wearing of face masks, in addition to social distancing. Our vaccination certificate was scanned each time we entered a hotel, restaurant or museum; entry would otherwise have been refused.

On our return to England, I was shocked by how lax we have become. We don’t appear to be following any of the safety guidelines. After the hardship and inconvenience we have all experienced, we seem to be throwing away any real chance of minimising levels of transmission. Stella Currie Bramhall, Cheshire