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Slow uptake of Covid vaccine on Romney Marsh sees clinics cancelled
06:00, 29 July 2021
Vaccination clinics on Romney Marsh are having to be cancelled due to poor uptake.
An appeal has now been launched for more people to come forward for their jab against Covid-19 after it was revealed more than 800 over 50s living on the Marsh are yet to be vaccinated.
The situation has been described as 'frustrating' as the shots are being ordered but residents are not coming forward for them.
It is also wasting the time of volunteers who are supporting the clinics.
There are currently two centres for vaccinations, both in Church Lane, New Romney, on the Marsh - one at Old School, run by Tayo Bella from New Romney Pharmacy, and one at the Church Lane Health Centre.
The latter moved to the health centre from Lydd Airport, which has reopened following the easing of restrictions.
It is thought the hesitancy could in part be because of some negative stories surrounding the AstraZeneca shot.
Cllr Paul Thomas, mayor of New Romney, said: "We have had to cancel some of the vaccination sessions at both The Old School and Church Lane surgery because of the poor uptake.
"We can only assume that some people do not want the AstraZeneca vaccine because of some of the stories in the national press, although we cannot substantiate this.
"Last Saturday, Church Lane had appointments for both morning and afternoon but had to cancel the afternoon session because there was no take up.
"It is a very frustrating situation for the NHS and Tayo because they are making provision for vaccinations but people are not using them.
"It also causes problems for the volunteers supporting these sessions, who will often change their personal arrangements to support the programme, only for them to be cancelled at the last minute."
Everyone over the age of 18 is now invited to have their coronavirus vaccination.
Cllr Thomas said "a huge effort" has gone into contacting people but "it would appear they do not want to be vaccinated".
He adds: "Everyone over 18 has been contacted by the NHS to come forward and get their vaccination.
"The local GP surgeries have contacted patients directly by phone and text to book a vaccination appointment.
"We have also put posts on a number of social media sites.
"Both The Old School, which is delivering both Moderna and Astra Zeneca, and Church Lane surgery, which is delivering Pfizer and AstraZeneca, have been allowing “walk-ins” and again these have been posted on various social media sites.
"Some don’t want the AstraZeneca vaccine, others don’t want to be vaccinated."
