Vaccinations available within 10 miles of home following roll-out confusion, Telford MP confirms
Elderly people in Telford will be offered a vaccine within 10 miles of their home despite initially being invited to "mega hubs" in Birmingham, Bristol and Cheshire, an MP has confirmed.
Confusion sparked after residents received letters asking them to travel to various places around England for their vaccines.
But Telford MP Lucy Allan has since confirmed the letters were sent out to patients in the most at risk categories nationally, offering them the opportunity to receive an earlier vaccination.
Ms Allan said she had spoke to vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi, who confirmed all residents would receive a vaccination within 10 miles of their home in coming weeks.
It comes after Councillor Shaun Davies, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council said he had been made aware of elderly residents being told to travel to various places around England for their vaccines.
It is an echo of chaotic scenes last year when Shropshire residents trying to book Covid-19 tests were asked to travel to Aberdeen and Inverness, in Scotland; Wallasey, in Merseyside; Oldham in Greater Manchester; Leicester and Builth Wells.
It comes as health workers and volunteers prepare to open a mass vaccination centre at Telford International Centre, which is expected to be operational by the end of the month.
Councillor Davies said on Twitter: "I am being told that Telford and Wrekin residents in their 80s and 90s are having letters advising them to book an appointment online to get their vaccine in the West Midlands and north of England.
"I've raised this with health authorities who are investigating.
"This isn't good enough!"
A number of residents responded to say that their elderly friends and family members had been offered appointments in places such as Bristol and Widnes.
It is understood that a number of vaccination centres will be up and running in Shropshire by the end of January, including at Oswestry’s orthopaedic hospital and potentially Ludlow Racecourse.
