"No COVID Vaccine Hub Doesn't Mean We're Not A Priority" Says Isle Of Wight MP

Thursday, 3 December 2020 12:56

By Isle of Wight Reporter

"The Isle of Wight won't have a coronavirus vaccine hub - but it doesn't mean we're not a priority", according to the Island’s MP Bob Seely.

50 NHS Trusts across the country have been selected as a hub by the Government, as the UK prepares for the roll-out of the first coronavirus vaccine.

The hubs will be used to start immunising NHS frontline staff and patients. Hub hospitals will be responsible for vaccinating their own staff and making sure neighbouring hospitals can get the jab to their staff.

However, it has been confirmed that the Isle of Wight will not be one of them, leading to speculation that Islanders will have to wait even longer to receive the jab.

The Island’s MP Bob Seely has previously told Isle of Wight Radio that the Island will be a “priority”, with the vaccine starting to be rolled out later this month (December).

Mr Seely says the Island “doesn’t need” a vaccine hub because the vaccine will be distributed via GP surgeries.

Speaking to Isle of Wight Radio, he said:

"Having a COVID hub is partly dependent on your size and it’s only major centres that are getting COVID hubs, most of the vaccinations will be done via GP surgeries is my understanding - so we don’t actually need a vaccine hub per se, although maybe the hospital will somewhat take on that role.

"Plans are still being formulated. But to say we are not going to be a priority because we don’t have a hub is simply inaccurate and I wish people would come to me first because these stories could create a false sense of alarm."

Mr Seely says the Isle of Wight is still a priority because we are an Island and after Portsmouth "we are next".

Speaking to the BBC, Prof Van-Tam revealed that the UK will likely receive deliveries of the inoculation today.

The professor said the Pfizer vaccine is expected "very, very shortly in the UK. And I do mean hours, not days".

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has been asked for a comment.

*updated 2.14pm

The Island's MP has re-issued a statement this afternoon to Isle of Wight Radio, Bob Seely said:

“There are three modes for vaccine roll-out: hospital hubs, vaccination centres and the community (via GPs). The maps doing the rounds today show only one of these: hospital hubs. Full plans are being worked on.

“Any implication that the Islanders will get the vaccine later than elsewhere is, to the best my knowledge, false. The Island, as I have said, is a priority area after Portsmouth. This has not changed.

"Hospitals named as hubs are generally major hospitals in major population centres. Portsmouth has been the priority in Hants and the IW because every area/region needs a single initial hub - the IW and Hants are grouped together for public health in this instance. It is also true to say that Portsmouth is treating a number of Covid patients - and staff at therefore at potentially higher risk.

"After Portsmouth Hospital, the Island, along with one or two other locations in the Hants/IW area, is part off phase two. That decision to ensure relatively early supply of the Island was made due to the potential vulnerability of supplying an Island rather than mainland centres.

"The current plan also includes a vaccination centre on the Island. This will be confirmed shortly.

"How vaccines are then distributed on the Island is then a matter for planning experts. This work is being done and was begun prior to vaccine approval. I thank the experts for their work. The experts have been mindful of the Island’s unique circumstances. I know this because I have spoken to them and which is why, after Portsmouth, delivery will be ensure to the Island.

“Because the Island has a small population compared to cities, some of the distribution of the vaccine may be done through GPs surgeries. This has always been a potential plan, in addition to a potential vaccination centre.

“My recent statement even to the IW media on the vaccine was checked and cleared by the IW NHS Trust to ensure accuracy. I have just come off the phone from public health experts to confirm this statement.”

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"No COVID Vaccine Hub Doesn't Mean We're Not A Priority" Says Isle Of Wight MP

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