Moira man, 83, told he could travel 100 miles for covid-19 vaccination
He was stunned when he got the letter, but NHS say they are just options
Helen KreftSenior reporter
Brian Eccleshall was given the option of travelling all the way to Middlesex for his vaccination
An 83-year-old man was left "appalled" after an NHS letter advised him he could travel over a 100 miles to get a covid-19 vaccine.
Father-of-two Brian Eccleshall, from Moira, was given the choice in the letter to travel to either Manchester, Stevenage, Widnes, Birmingham, Macclesfield or Middlesex, which is over 100 miles, to have his vaccine, or make an appointment at his local doctors. The closest was Birmingham - and that is still 28 miles from where he lives.
He said he was left appalled at a time when people are being told to stay at home and not travel over borders during the UK's third lockdown as covid cases rise.
The grandfather-of-four, who used to own a building firm and still lets industrial units, said: "I received a letter from the NHS on Saturday saying I was now eligible for my vaccine which I thought was great. It said I could either call my doctor and book an appointment or it gave me a website I could access to book online.
"It was a Saturday and the doctors was closed so I tried to book online. I put in my postcode and the options came up with Manchester, Stevenage, Widnes, Birmingham, Macclesfield or Middlesex. I know Middlesex is about 109 miles away."
Mr Eccleshall is also 85 miles from Manchester; 85 miles from Widnes; 55 miles from Macclesfield; 95 miles to Stevenage; and 28 miles from Birmingham.
He added: "The website even gave me where I can park or the nearest train station.
"I decided not to book online and contacted my doctor on Monday, who told me he had had no end of calls about it and to ignore the letter, and he made me an appointment at my local surgery.
"I am worried for other vulnerable people who may have received this letter on a Saturday, gone online and thought that they had to travel all the way to one of these places.
"I feel that I am sensible but other people may think they have to travel. It would be quite worrying for them.
"At a time when the Government is telling you to stay at home I am amazed at this letter. I am appalled."
The NHS said some of the locations mentioned in the letter are some of the national vaccine centres as an additional option.
A spokesman said: "The seven centres are an additional option for people to get vaccinated if it is convenient for them. If it is not, they can instead be jabbed at one of their local vaccination centres in the coming weeks."
Mr Eccleshall is not alone in receiving the letter.
Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant had also heard similar stories from his own constituents in Staffordshire.
He said: "As these mass vaccination centres are some distance away, I can well understand the concern this is causing. If you do choose to visit a mass vaccination centre, you must return to the same one for the booster vaccination 12 weeks later.
"However, if you do not wish to respond to the letter, or you have not received it for any reason, do not despair. You will be contacted again by your GP surgery within a couple of weeks or so and be allocated a local vaccination clinic. In Lichfield, that will be at the Cathedral.
"You must keep safe in the meantime and remember that once vaccinated, it will still take two to three weeks to build up any immunity to covid-19 and you could still be infectious to others. It is very important that you attend the same clinic for a booster vaccination which will then give longer lasting immunity.
"I am very disappointed that all this has not been made clear in the letter sent out by the national NHS and I am sorry if this has caused any alarm.
"Finally, do remember that vaccinations are by appointment only. Do not call your GP or other NHS organisations. They are working hard to get the vaccination programme operating swiftly. They will contact you. And when you are contacted, please attend your booked appointment on time.
"Don't be late, but try not to be too early either as covid restrictions may mean you could be kept standing for some time.
"As of the end of last week, 51,000 people have been vaccinated in Staffordshire and by the end of this week, over half of those scheduled to be vaccinated by the middle of next month will have received the jab."