A DOCTOR’S surgery in Highcliffe has apologised for not having enough Covid-19 vaccines.

Highcliffe Medical Centre in Lymington Road said they have been unable to provide Covid-19 vaccinations due to the “regulations around the movement of vaccines”.

A statement provided by practice manager Janet Newman published by the Highcliffe Residents Association said: “It is not of our doing that up until now we have not been able to offer the Covid-19 vaccination at our Highcliffe site.

“It is the way that NHSE have directed practices to do this.

“We would dearly love to be able to offer the vaccine from Highcliffe but due to the regulations around the movement of vaccines, we are currently unable to do that.

“However, with new vaccines coming to market, we are confident that this should change in the not too distant future; but cannot give any direct timelines as this is a moving feast that changes on a daily basis.”

The statement clarified that the reason why Christchurch residents were able to get the vaccine early in December was because Christchurch was one of the five wave one sites in Dorset and were prioritised to receive the vaccine first.

In her statement, Mrs Newman added: “The supply has not been consistent or ongoing as more and more sites are going live across the country and the vaccine is being spread around.

“We have two more clinics up and running at the Stour site on January 16 and 17 but it is again for over 80s only.

“We are hoping to follow on with more clinics on a more regular basis, and when we get a more regular supply of the Oxford vaccine will be able to offer clinics from our site as well.

“I do hope this brings a little more, but as I say it changes daily.”

And people in Highcliffe have expressed growing concerns as to why vaccines are not being made available to them.

Mary Reader, of the Residents Association said: “A lot of people want to know when we are likely to get the vaccinations in Highcliffe because a lot of residents are elderly and are in the top categories.

“It is difficult at the moment because in other parts of the country, there have been some 70-year-olds are getting vaccinated whereas here, I know of a lady who said that her 90-year-old mother is yet to receive a vaccine.”

Meanwhile, it was reported that an extra 900 vaccines were mistakenly sent to the St Alban’s Medical Centre, with some given to front line workers.

A spokesperson for Dorset CCG said: “A number of vaccinations were made available to front line staff from Poole and Royal Bournemouth Hospitals. This is standard practice to make best use of vaccines in line with national prioritisation guidelines. All vaccines were used and none were wasted.”