Covid-19: Questions over Telford site's '1,400 empty jab appointments'

Despite few appointments on Tuesday, the CCG said no vaccine doses were wasted and there was no shortage of the drugs (archive image)

Questions have been raised why 1,400 vaccination slots at a hub in Telford were left empty.

Shaun Davies, leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, said about 100 people got the jab against Covid-19 on Tuesday, despite the Telford International Centre (TIC) having the capacity to deliver 1,500 each day.

He also claimed vaccinators were sent home from the site.

Health bosses in Shropshire blamed a national booking system.

Mr Davies said: "There has been a significant issue with the booking system and there has also been a hesitancy on behalf of health bosses to be more flexible."

The council leader said there had been a "perfect storm" of missed opportunities, while the booking system needed improving.

"When there are gaps, local health teams should be able to make a call out for people to come forward - those slots could have been given to police officers, teachers, a whole range of different workers who could have come at the drop of a hat and got a vaccine if they wanted to," he said.

Council leader Shaun Davies claimed vaccinators were sent home from the Telford International Centre

Dave Evans, joint accountable officer for the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said unlike some venues, the TIC relied on the national booking system, which only allowed people to book if over 70.

'Another route'

He said a decision was made on Wednesday to invite over-65s.

"Letters are going out and contact is being made with people who are over 65 so they can book in via another route other than the national booking service," he said.

• Care staff vaccinations 'lagging behind target'

• When will I get a Covid vaccine?

• Care home vaccine 'milestone' reached in England

A spokesperson for the NHS said the service was on track to offer a vaccine to everyone in the top four priority groups by the middle of February.

"Vaccine centres across the Midlands are prepared to welcome people from the next highest priority groups after that date," they said.

At the beginning of the vaccination programme, the government laid out the priority groups, starting with care home residents, over-80s and staff working for the NHS or in social care.

• Latest news from the West Midlands

The latest criticism of the speed of vaccinations among under-70s follows news last month that Shropshire and Telford had the lowest rates of inoculations in England.

Margaret Keenan, aged 90, became the first person vaccinated in the mass roll-out by the NHS

It has quickly caught up with the priority over-80s group. Latest official figures show more than 96% of that category have had their first dose.

However, unlike many other parts of England it had again been slow to vaccinate lower age groups.

Up to 4 February, it had comfortably the lowest rate of vaccinations in those aged 75-80 in England and the second lowest of those aged 70-74.

The CCG said since then it had again caught up in those categories to such an extent it had "almost run out" of people aged over 70 to vaccinate.

• LOCKDOWN LOOK-UP: The rules in your area

• SOCIAL DISTANCING: Can I give my friends a hug?

• TRAVEL RIGHTS: Can I get a holiday refund?

• GLOBAL SPREAD: How many worldwide cases are there?

• LOOK-UP TOOL: How many cases in your area?