‘Don’t forget us’ - Town Council writes to PM over lack of vaccine site in Sleaford

The Town Council has written to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Health, the local MP and relevant health bodies to address growing concerns about the lack of a Covid vaccination site in the Sleaford area.
Inside the large Covid-19 vaccination centre at Lincolnshire Showground. EMN-210102-122004001Inside the large Covid-19 vaccination centre at Lincolnshire Showground. EMN-210102-122004001
Inside the large Covid-19 vaccination centre at Lincolnshire Showground. EMN-210102-122004001

Councillors are angry that those without access to transport or mobility difficulties are still being encouraged to travel the 14 miles to Grantham Meres Leisure Centre or further to the major hub at the PRSA Arena in Boston, despite a promise by the government that most people should be within 10 miles of a jab.

Their letter states: “We feel the residents of Sleaford have been ignored by government, despite being a large town within the district.”

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They demanded an explanation as to whether it was now deemed safe for vulnerable members of the community to risk infection by travelling such distances for a vaccine.

Coun Linda Edwards-Shea said she had been contacted by worried residents: “The vaccination programme has been going extremely well for people who can get to the Meres, but there has been a problem with the management of people’s expectations,” she said.

“It is not that there is nowhere yet in Sleaford, but that there is no plan for anywhere in Sleaford. I am alarmed that we might have just been forgotten. Elderly and vulnerable people are being invited to Grantham. Individuals and families are feeling even more vulnerable travelling that far and some cannot. They are worried if they turn down the Meres they will miss out on a vaccination later.”

Coun John Parry said the New Life Conference Centre had already offered itself as a venue.

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Coun Heather Lorimer said she had been told by one of the directors at the CCG that they were expected to stick to Grantham until they had completed the four priority groups by February 15. Then they could look at sites in Sleaford.

County councillor for the town, Kate Cook said she had learned that trial vaccination sessions had been held the previous weekend at Heckington and Ruskington GP surgeries to “mop up” any over 80s who had not yet been given a jab and this ‘pop up’ model may be trialled further.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire CCG confirmed: “We are continuing to increase our physical presence in and around Sleaford in addition to our outreach services, such as via the focused clinics held in the area recently to vaccinate those unable to travel to the vaccination centre in Grantham. As such services are delivered, we are directly contacting the people they are designed for in order that they can arrange their appointments.

“These clinics are by invitation, and in accordance with the national priority grouping order to ensure that the vaccination is reaching the most vulnerable.”