Investigation underway after 'small number' of Chesterfield players and staff receive Covid-19 jab

The NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group said it is ‘unacceptable to jump the queue’ - which the club denies doing.

The club confirmed in a statement that most of those who got the jab are classed as ‘vulnerable’ and that they were called at short notice otherwise the vaccine would have gone to waste.

Three players and three staff members received the jab at Stubley Medical Centre in Dronfield, according to the PA news agency.

The medical centre has since received ‘threatening calls from angry people’, reports Sky Sports.

A spokesperson for NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group said: 'We are investigating this issue with the practice involved.

“It is unacceptable to jump the queue ahead of people most at risk of Covid-19 and the NHS guidance is clear that local vaccination services must manage their appointment lists to ensure all appointments are filled and they have a back-up list of high risk people in Joint Committee on Vaccination and Drug Immunisation priority groups 1-4 [those aged 70 and over or who are clinically extremely vulnerable] who can receive the vaccine at short notice.'

Explaining the situation, Chesterfield said in a statement: “A small number of Chesterfield players and staff – most of whom are classed as vulnerable people – have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

“In line with the NHS’ directive – that doctors and staff have the discretion to ensure that they can make full use of any unused vaccines, rather than have any go to waste - the people concerned were called at very short notice to receive the vaccine.

“They were only contacted after the surgery had exhausted all other viable options.

“Those involved were keen that these vaccines were not wasted, which would have been the case had they not received them.

“We continue to support the NHS’s brilliant work and have provided COVID-19 testing facilities at our stadium throughout the pandemic, so vital care can be administered.”

The Spireites did not want to make any further comment when asked by the DT.