Derbyshire vaccination shortages 'likely' down to diverted doses, while infection rates rise

Earlier this week (Monday January 25) more than half of Derbyshire’s Covid-19 vaccination sites were closed due to supply shortages overseen by central government.

Those affected included the Winding Wheel Theatre in Chesterfield and Sharley Park Leisure Centre in Clay Cross

This comes after it was widely reported in Yorkshire and the North East that areas where the vaccine rollout was happening quickly would receive fewer doses, so that areas lagging behind, such as parts of London, could catch up.

Now, Chesterfield Mr Perkins has said that this is also likely to be the reason for the shortages experienced in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Covid vaccination sites closed as supplies run short

He said: “NHS England does not communicate with anybody. Not the CCGs, not with MPs, and they do not issue press releases.

“They simply send out a vaccinations list with how many vaccinations each area is going to have.

“It is thought that when we get to February [the country] will have enough vaccines to be able to move from the current ‘push system’ onto a ‘pull system’ which means we would be able to order however much was needed.

“But at the moment we are being told how many we are getting.

“We have not been specifically told what the reasons for the lack of supply are but given what little the Government has said it seems likely that it is so that the areas that are behind can catch up.”

This comes as four areas in North Derbyshire are listed among the top 10 in the country for sharp increases in infection rates.

Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales and North East Derbyshire were all on the list, however Mr Perkins said it was too early to tell if the reduced supply of vaccine and te infection rates were directly linked.

Four North Derbyshire areas among top ten in country with highest infection rate rises

In South Yorkshire, MPs Clive Betts and Dan Jarvis slammed the Government’s diversion plan, claiming it was punishing key workers in the area for their success.

The Derbyshire Times asked Mr Perkins whether he thought it was the right thing to do.

He said: “The first question is about the proportion of over 80s. I imagine there are far fewer over 80s is London than in Derbyshire.

“Beyond that, while vaccines are scarce it makes sense not to have one area racing ahead of the others. But we also have to take into account the infection rates.

“Chesterfield started later than other areas because NHS England when each area could start. So we have been playing catch up but a huge amount of work has gone in. I am waiting for exact figures but I am pretty sure we have caught up with the rest of Derbyshire now.”

NHS England has been asked to confirm whether or not the shortage in vaccine supply was due to diversions. As the time of publication it has not provided an answer.