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:
“I know quite rightly that there is an enormous amount of hope from the vaccine and the opportunity to roll that out as soon as possible.
“Deployment of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine started yesterday and we anticipate delivery of that vaccine in North Yorkshire towards the end of the week.”
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:
“Health professionals have been working tirelessly over the festive period to offer the coronavirus vaccine to priority groups where supplies have allowed.
“The showground has been taking deliveries of the vaccine and staff have vaccinated many vulnerable patients, including care home residents and staff over the festive period.
“Our message to everyone is to ask them to please be patient. You will be contacted when the time is right.
“Please do not ring your surgery to ask about the vaccine – there is lots of information on the NHS website.
“Our surgeries need to keep their phone lines free for patients requiring urgent care.”
