Clacton MP addresses concerns about COVID-19 vaccine rollout
He is urging people not to contact the NHS for their jab
The MP for Clacton has been addressing concerns about the speed of which coronavirus vaccines are being rolled out in the area.
Giles Watling has described the speed of the rollout as "quite impressive", even if it is not ideal for everyone.
He said he is on the case locally:
"I get, sort of, anecdotal evidence that people are saying 'it's not being rolled out properly' and 'there are hitches in the system'.
"Well certainly, to a certain extent, there are bound to be hitches, but I believe, talking to the head of the CCG, Dr Ed Garratt, and indeed Nick Hulme, who is the CEO of Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals, that we are on track locally."
He also said that "on average, 140 jabs are being delivered per minute and 3.8 per cent of those in the East of England have been vaccinated, according to the latest available data".
But, although Mr Watling said this is "great news", he added "more can be done – especially as some other regions appear to be vaccinating at a faster rate".
He also said there are planned improvements to the system, adding "local GPs, Clacton Hospital, and the Columbine Centre will soon come on stream to support the vaccination centre at St Helena’s, new mass vaccination centres are opening across the country, and the Government will trial 24-hour vaccination to speed up delivery even further".
Mr Watling also had an important message for residents who are waiting to get a coronavirus vaccine:
"Everybody's got to wait their turn.
"There has to be a beginning, there has to be a first person to get the vaccine and there has to be a last person to get the vaccine.
"Of course, you've got to remember the more people that are vaccinated, the less likely it is you're going to catch this thing anyway."
He confirmed all residents in local care homes are expected to be fully vaccinated by 24 January, and that he understands North East Essex CCG "expects to meet the target of vaccinating all those who are clinically vulnerable, or aged over 70, by 15 February".
The NHS will contact people when it is their turn to have the jab.