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Nov 2021

Health

Andrew Jones MP queries delay of covid vaccinations in schools

Published: 5 Nov 2021, 13:05 GMT

by Thomas Barrett

The government initially said all children in that age group would be offered jabs by October half-term. Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, said vaccinating children five months later in February would be "too late".

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

Harrogate & Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones has questioned why school vaccinations in Harrogate are not likely to happen until February.

The Stray Ferret reported last month that the rollout of covid jabs to 12 to 15-year-old pupils in Harrogate schools has been delayed, after the government initially said all children in that age group would be offered jabs by October half-term.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Jones said vaccinating children five months later in February would be "too late".

He said:

"I am hearing mixed messages about what is happening in schools. The CCG has told me that they should be eligible for visits by the end of this month, but some schools have been reporting that they are not looking at visits until January or February next year by which stage, of course, it is too late."

No Harrogate district walk-in vaccine centres as clinics ‘at capacity’

Care staff shortages ‘critical’ ahead of compulsory vaccine deadline

Mr Jones also asked if there is a problem with the supply of vaccines in the Harrogate district. He said the nearest walk-in centre for residents is 17 miles away in Halifax.

NHS officials have said they are unable to open any walk-in covid vaccination centres in Harrogate because clinics are already running at capacity.

Mr Jones said:

"If I look at the website on the location of walk-in centres and tap in Harrogate, it brings up five locations in Halifax, which is about 17 miles away. Are there any problems with vaccine supply, or are we having some difficulties in North Yorkshire at the moment?"

In response, Department for Health junior minister Maggie Thorpe MP said "there is no problem at all with the supply of vaccines".

"I can reassure my hon. Friend that there is no problem at all with the supply of vaccines; we have plenty of supply. He talks about schools. The vaccine programme in schools is being carried out by the school-aged immunisation service, which is very experienced in carrying out vaccinations for different conditions in schools. If there is a problem in his area, I will definitely look into it on his behalf."

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Andrew Jones MP queries delay of covid vaccinations in schools

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