Covid-19 booster are being cancelled last minute by NHS

Nicolette Neville-Lee, from Britannia Square, had booked a vaccine at St. Wulstan's Building, Deansway on September 14. 

But it wasn't until she arrived, that she found out her booster jab had been cancelled because the centre had run out of vaccines.

Other people in Worcester have also been met with long queues or cancelled appointments.

Patients outside St Peter's Baptist Church had to wait in long queues for their jab on Wednesday morning (September 21) but the wait times were 'under control' by the afternoon.

Mrs Neville-Lee, 75, said: "On Wednesday (September 14) I thought it was odd that no one was in the queue for their jab when I arrived, but one of the staff told me they had run out of Covid-19 vaccines, so I came home and rebooked for Tuesday (September 20).

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"But by the afternoon I got a text to say the appointment was cancelled.

"I'm just a bit fed up with the texts and emails I get from the NHS, I wouldn't mind if they told us before, but it was only after I arrived I found out my appointment had been cancelled. 

"I'm retired so I didn't have any other appointments, but I felt as though my time had been wasted.

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"This is a city and this just isn't good enough.

"Last time it was much better organised but the NHS or whoever set up Covid-19 vaccines doesn't know what they are doing. 

"They just haven't thought it through this time.

"I have another appointment booked for September 27, but I very much doubt that it will go ahead. 

"I expect it will be delayed or I'll be waiting for an hour for a booked appointment. 

Mrs Neville-Lee also tried to book an appointment for her 93-year-old neighbour who struggles with disabilities. 

"Earlier this year, I took her to St Peter's Church, it had disability access and was easy to get to.  

"She needs disabled access and I have been given vaccination centres over 12 miles away from Worcester at Bromyard or Bromsgrove. 

"I'm not driving to Bromyard and hoping that I can park outside and walk her in. 

"She's 93 and she's not very good on the internet, so it'll be a neighbour that will book the appointment for her.

Robin Walker, Worcester MP, said: "I am concerned about the fact that appointments are being cancelled or delayed. 

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Worcester MP Robin Walker at Worcestershire Royal Hospital as part of the Worcester Mela Partnership (Image: Worcester MP Robin Walker at Worcestershire Royal Hospital as part of the Worcester Mela Partnership)

"I have contacted the Hereford and Worcester CCG on behalf of the constituents and I'm waiting for their reply. 

"We are chasing to get a response to see why they are being cancelled and/or delayed. 

"St Peter's was previously used as a vaccine centre and it was very accessible for people. 

"We want the vaccines to be available and it is something Worcester has done before."

A spokesperson for NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: "People aged 65 and over, the severely immunosuppressed, and frontline health and care workers are able to book their latest booster dose or wait to be invited from their GP Practice.

"Across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the autumn Covid-19 vaccination programme is being delivered through Primary Care Networks (groups of GP practices working together) and community pharmacies. 

"As with previous campaigns, patients are being asked to wait to be invited, as those most at risk will be called forward first.

"People can also book online or through 119 as long as it has been three months since their last dose.”