Concerns have been expressed that the withdrawal of covid-19 vaccinations to under 50s in the Blandford area might deter people from having the jab.

Barry Oxtoby, aged 52, of Blandford said that nowhere in the town was offering the injection to the under 50s and he had friends that have been offered the injection but needed to go to Salisbury, Yeovil, Bournemouth and Poole.

“Some can’t get to these locations and others can’t get time off work,” he said. “With a population of over 23,000 people I find it ludicrous that vaccines are not being offered to the under 50s within the town.”

Barry says he has asked North Dorset MP Simon Hoare about the issue, but that his reply had only stressed the importance of people taking up the invitation when it was offered.

The MP said: “The rollout is going exceptionally well and huge efforts have been made by local Primary Care Networks to ensure that anyone who wants it, is able to accept the invitation. If you know anyone who is unable to attend an appointment outside of the town, please do urge them to contact their GP as soon as possible as other arrangements can be made to ensure they are able to get vaccinated.”

The Blandford Group Practice, which has given 22,000 first and second dose vaccinations so far, announced three weeks ago that it had ceased offering first doses to those aged 49 and under, although it would continue to offer second doses to those who had had their first.

Some congratulated them on making the right decision and on their vaccine delivery, including Blandford Town Council’s Mayor Lynn Lindsay who awarded the team a Mayor’s commendation for their work.

But a number of people said it was difficult for them since they did not drive or would need to make a 40-mile round trip after working full time, one commenting: “It’s a pity the under 50s have been left in the lurch. It would have been best if something had been set up locally before taking a service from people who need it.”

Several commented that people would not bother getting the vaccine if they had to travel to Salisbury, Bournemouth, or even the Isle of Wight, one of the venues offered, and there would be a rise in the number of cases. Dr Maddie Ford, clinical director at TBGP, said the small team delivering the vaccines over the last five months had given up weekends and days off to do so, which had inevitably taken its toll on everyday work.

Practice manager Carol Tilley said: “The Blandford Group Practice is an independent provider of medical services and has been one of the highest performing practices in the country for the over 50s and clinically vulnerable.”

“We have taken the difficult decision to not take up the contract to vaccinate patients under 50, as we felt this was not the best decision for the health and wellbeing of the community. If we had proceeded to vaccinate under 50s… this would have doubled the demands on the team, who in addition to the vaccine programme have also provided 115,000 clinical appointments in the last year (an average of five appointments per patient). The time is right for the practice to re-focus our resources back to delivering our core GP work, demand on which continues to increase.”

The Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, which is leading the vaccination programme locally, was unable to respond to the concerns in time for publication.

Support Us

Thank you all so, so much for the love and appreciation you’ve shown us since we launched the New Blackmore Vale.

Please show your support and add a review on our Facebook page or on Google.