Booster programme must be stepped up

I am sure many saw the queues outside Sanford Street drop-in vaccination centre with great concern. Some in the healthcare area have said the main reason Swindon is so far behind national and Wiltshire totals is reluctance of the Swindon public to get vaccinated. These queues show that if walk in centres are put on the NHS website and not just publicised on council media outlets the demand is huge.

A big reason for the pent-up demand is that most of the vaccination centres that are in place are easily reachable by car but a lot more problematic to get to by public transport. Swindon bus routes converge on the town centre and Steam, Lawns and Highworth are all far away from it. Does the CCG still not understand 20 per cent of the population in Swindon has no access to a car? There is also the issue that many of the lowest vaccinated areas in Swindon are in the town centre area.

It was far from reassuring to see on Points West the army which is based down the road has been deployed in Taunton to help with the vaccination effort. Steve Maddern said last week he was talking to them. What has happened and why are they being deployed away from where the need is greatest in Swindon? He needs to be constantly on the phone to them. Swindon is depending on him and his team to get a fair share of the resources available. He must be aware that Kevin Mcnamara at the hospital has said 60 per cent of Covid patients there are unvaccinated and how important it is to get as many people as vaccinated as possible.

The other key protagonist Gill May, head of the CCG vaccination programme also appeared on Points West. Her only advice was to try the NHS booking system when she knew full well that the only centres available were miles away from Swindon. When is Gill May finally going to talk to Boots? James Sutcliffe head of vaccinations has been approached and is willing to help, potentially not just in Swindon. Boots in Swindon is already giving out flu jabs, has space and is very well located. Sadly according to email exchanges with Mr Sutcliffe he has not been approached by the NHS regarding Swindon yet.

Ms May has also not mentioned the vaccine bus, still not operational due to heating issues, and desperately needed to service Swindon deprived communities. In Bremen in Germany they have two buses going around every day and have the highest vaccination rate in the country and below average infection rates. Is it not possible to learn from best practice abroad? What is this stupid excuse about heating hiding?

One also wonders if GP practices could do more and who is pushing them to volunteer to help in the CCG and the Public Health Department. Moredon is involved but not dispensing vaccines all week. Surely other practices could be involved and why not open the emergency care facility near the bus station in this hour of national emergency? As so often in this pandemic the hospital has stepped up to the plate but other health agencies have lagged behind. We need quick action as those unvaccinated are more likely to end up in hospital which will put even more pressure on the GWH.

Jonathan Sheldrake

Firefly Avenue,

Rodbourne

Grateful thanks for jab

I hope that you will allow me a few column inches to praise the efforts of all concerned in the roll-out of the booster jabs and, especially, those mentioned below.

My wife and I both managed to get an appointment for our boosters at the Epicare Health Pharmacy on Commercial Road on Wednesday evening. Everything was so well organised - reception, vaccinations and after-care - and we were treated with courtesy, respect, knowledge and gentle humour by both the medical professionals and the volunteers. A very big 'Thank You' to all involved - you know who you are!

And I am sure these thanks are echoed around the town, the county and the country - we are in your debt and you all deserve a medal!

Steve Cowdry.

Saddleback Road

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