DORSET MPs have expressed concerns about how the Prime Minister’s ramping up of the Covid vaccine booster programme will become a reality across the county.
In a pre-recorded address to the nation on Sunday evening, Boris Johnson set a new deadline of delivering booster jabs for everyone over 18 by the new year.
Mr Johnson said the mission to administer millions more jabs by December 31 will see 42 military planning teams deployed across every health region.
Extra vaccine sites will be opened and additional mobile units deployed, clinic opening hours are to be extended to allow people to be jabbed around the clock and at weekends, while thousands more vaccinators will be trained.
Information on how vaccine delivery will be ramped up in Dorset have not been detailed at this stage.
In recent weeks the Daily Echo has reported on issues residents have experienced in getting a Covid booster jab at a site in the county.
Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope said: “At the moment we have people in care homes, people who are in their 70 and 80s who want to have their booster, who can’t get it.
“We have got other people who have been offered dates for their booster jab in the middle of January.
“We have a lot of reaction locally of people saying they have tried to go online and been told they can get a jab in Taunton or somewhere else outside Dorset.
“How is this going to be delivered? Is it going to raise expectations unexpectedly? It is one thing to make an announcement but what is it all for? Is it part of the approach of frightening people?”
Sir Christopher said he had seen reports of “good news” in relation to the wildly spreading Omicron variant, stating that it appeared to be “milder” than other Covid-19 variants.
The announcement from the Prime Minister came hours after the UK Covid alert level was raised to Level 4, up from Level 3, following a rapid increase in the number of Omicron cases being recorded.
The recommendation was made to ministers by the country’s four chief medical officers and NHS England’s national medical director following advice from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Conor Burns MP, who represents Bournemouth West, said: “'I am pleased that the Government is demonstrating such ambition and backing it with resource.
“Getting the booster is the best way to protect ourselves and each other and get back to normal life as soon as possible.”
The minister of state for Northern Ireland added: “I would urge everyone in the coming weeks to get out there and get that shot in the arm.
“By doing so you will help deliver a collective shot in the arm of the UK.”
North Dorset MP Simon Hoare said: "It's very welcome news, not without challenge and I agree that the military being involved is going to provide extra delivery support.
"The seriousness of the situation was again underlined by the PM and against that backdrop I really do pray that those of my colleagues who have indicated they would vote against the Government on Tuesday will be persuaded by the data and vote for public health and keeping communities safe."
Veteran Conservative Sir Christopher said the Government should be enabling people to live with the virus and asked where the scientific basis was for the sudden action the Prime Minister was calling for.
Sir Christopher added: “We have a democratically elected Parliament designed to actually scrutinise what the government is doing.
“It gives the impression of panic, a hand-to-mouth existence, trying to divert attention from other issue.
“I will hopefully be able to ask a question about it in the House of Commons on Monday.
“In the absence of any detailed information for how this is going to be delivered, I remain sceptical.”
Sir Christopher confirmed he will be voting against the government’s plan to introduce a Covid passport policy, which is set to be debated in the House of Commons on Tuesday, December 14.
Poole MP Sir Robert Syms said: “I welcome the scaling up of the booster rollout but I am still concerned whether the speed up is possible in Dorset.
"I still have big concerns about votes next week."
Every adult over 18 in England who has had a second dose of a Covid vaccine at least three months ago will be able to have their booster from Monday, Mr Johnson said.
The NHS booking system will be open for those under the age of 30 from Wednesday but “in some cases you can walk in from tomorrow (Monday)”.
Mr Hoare said he understood the county’s clinical commissioning group (CCG) was looking into scaling up operation.
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