Hartlepool MP claims North East's Covid vaccines share is being 'slowed down' after meeting with minister

Hartlepool’s MP says the Government minister in charge of the Covid vaccine roll out refused to give specific details after reports the region’s allocation of doses was to be cut.
By Mark Payne
Published 26th Jan 2021, 07:00 BST
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Mike Hill, along with other MPs for North East and Yorkshire, took part in a quickly arranged online meeting with the minister for the vaccine's deployment Nadhim Zahawi on Friday, January 22.

It followed reports that the area’s supply of the GP’s vaccines was to be reduced from 200,000 to 100,000 this week so other parts of the country could catch with the roll out to older people.

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The North East and Yorkshire has given out the most doses of the vaccines for anywhere in England at 998,863 between December 8 and January 23 according to NHS England data.

Almost one million doses of Covid vaccines have been given in the North East and Yorkshire regions.Almost one million doses of Covid vaccines have been given in the North East and Yorkshire regions.
Almost one million doses of Covid vaccines have been given in the North East and Yorkshire regions.

Mr Hill said: “Minister Zahawi was asked a direct question about whether or not the vaccine had been shifted away from the North East and his answer was telling.

“He stated that the ‘North East and Yorkshire will get supply to meet the (Government) mid February deadline’ for the top four cohorts.”

But Mr Hill said a regional NHS briefing he attended on Thursday, January 21, showed the North East was on target to vaccinate all people in the top four priority groups, which includes all people over 70 years and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals by the end of January.

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He added: “Our being ahead of that schedule is a good thing and we should be allowed to crack on and immunise everyone else.

Hartlepool MP Mike Hill. Picture by FRANK REIDHartlepool MP Mike Hill. Picture by FRANK REID
Hartlepool MP Mike Hill. Picture by FRANK REID

“The deliberate slowing down of our vaccination programme in Hartlepool is totally unacceptable and downright irresponsible, and sadly is likely to lead to even more unnecessary deaths.”

He said he has already had some complaints from constituents about cancelled appointments due to lack of supply of the vaccine.

The same day that Mr Hill took part in the online meeting with the vaccine minister, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the Government would continue to prioritise the over-80s and ensure other areas that need more to increase their percentages receive it.

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At the same time they would ensure the vaccine is provided to all areas of the country, they added.

The Mail and sister JPI Media newspapers are running A Shot In The Arm campaign to allow pharmacists to deliver the jabs.

Related story: Vaccinations to be given at North East Nightingale hospital

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Related topics:Mike HillNorth EastGovernmentHartlepoolYorkshireMPs