Covid vaccine shots cancelled
The government's new directions required alternative approaches.
A West Yorkshire NHS group has cancelled Covid vaccine shots days before Covid restrictions are relaxed for Christmas.
Covid centres in Huddersfield and Batley have been open since Wednesday. At the same time, drive-through centres in Dewsbury and Liversedge were set to start administering the Pfizer/BionTech vaccine.
However, NHS North Kirklees CCG said it has had to change plans as a result of the latest guidance from the Government.
NHS North Kirklees CCG said the vaccine is first offered to people aged 80 and over, who are most at risk from Covid.
An NHS North Kirklees CCG spokesperson said: “Following on from the opening of vaccination centres in Huddersfield and Batley earlier this week, we had hoped to be able to offer the vaccine from drive-through centres in Liversedge and Dewsbury. The requirements for delivering the vaccine are extremely complex and changing as new information emerges“. However, the spokesperson continued saying, following the latest government indications, they are obliged to evaluate alternative approaches in those areas. Plus, they had to postpone the original appointments. “We understand this will be disappointing for patients and we apologise for this and any inconvenience caused. It is obviously important that the vaccine is delivered in the best way for patients. We’re doing all we can to make alternative arrangements and rearrange these appointments as soon as we possibly can.”
A GP practice based at Ravensthorpe Health Centre, North Road Suite, said: “In light of new national guidance released 14/12/20, the practices in our area now need to review the sites that we can use to administer the Covid vaccines from. Covid vaccinations already booked in for 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 December have had to be postponed. We appreciate this is disappointing and apologise for the inconvenience. We will be back in touch to re-arrange your appointment as soon as possible.”