The start of the COVID vaccination programme in Telford and Wrekin has led to confusion for patients due to the apparent lack of a coherent plan.  It is disappointing that currently there is a postcode lottery within the Borough as only a couple of GP practices have started vaccinating their patients.  This has resulted in some high priority residents receiving their second dose of the vaccine where others have still to be contacted offering them a first dose!  With the main vaccination centre in the Borough not due to start operating for two to three weeks, the rejection of help from local pharmacies by NHS England, and the inability for patients of one surgery to be vaccinated by another surgery, this situation is unlikely to improve in the short term.  In addition, some vulnerable residents of Telford and Wrekin are being invited to get vaccinated at the nearest operational vaccination centre which is in central Birmingham.  Asking vulnerable residents over the age of 80 who are self- isolating to travel to Birmingham city centre which has a higher rate of infection than Telford and Wrekin is quite frankly ridiculous.

I appreciate there are problems regarding the stability and availability of the vaccine and the organisational challenges that need to be addressed.  However, many areas of the country seem to be ahead of us here in the delivery of the programme.  I would like to see an effective communication strategy from the Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) so that residents are informed of the local vaccination statistics to monitor local performance and to see how Telford and Wrekin compares to neighbouring areas and the region.

 Cllr. Nigel Dugmore

Telford and Wrekin Conservative Group