Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
05
Jan 2021
Oxford vaccine 'arriving this week' - but Harrogate centre closed again today
The Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine will arrive in North Yorkshire by the end of the week - but Harrogate's vaccine centre remains closed today.
Health leaders in the county hailed the arrival of the new vaccine today in an emergency coronavirus press briefing to reflect the latest national lockdown.
More care home residents will be able to access the vaccine as it is easier to transport, they promised in the meeting.
With coronavirus cases rising rapidly and the test positivity rate more than three times what it was before Christmas, they think the new vaccine is a "light at the end of the tunnel."
Harrogate District Hospital also started vaccinating yesterday, with 700 staff understood to have booked for vaccine this week.
Good news about the new vaccine seems to be contrasted by an empty Yorkshire Event Centre, which has reportedly been closed for multiple days over Christmas and the new year.
Read more:
- Business owners share concerns as new lockdown begins
- Growing concern in Harrogate district over lack of vaccine communication
Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)in North Yorkshire, did not say why Harrogate's vaccine centre remains closed today. However, she said:
The Stray Ferret has pressed North Yorkshire CCG for further answers about the Harrogate vaccine centre, after being contacted by numerous concerned residents. We asked which days it had been open, how many vaccines had been delivered there and when it was likely to reopen.
In response, a spokesperson for the CCGs said today:
0