HEALTH workers have expressed their anger and dismay after dozens of people failed to turn up for their appointments for their second Covid jabs.

The Darlington Primary Care Network tweeted: "Yes we know it's a Bank Holiday but 129 people DID NOT ATTEND for their 2nd dose appointments yesterday and they didn't cancel them.

"Our team are giving up their Bank Holiday and have this extra stress as we have another clinic today so please turn up to get your 2nd dose."

Darlington Borough Council tweeted: "Please do everything you can to keep your second dose appointment in #Darlington.

"But if you can't attend your appointment, make sure you contact your vaccination centre ASAP to let them know.

"Doses could be wasted as a result of no shows. Please be considerate."

The council's cabinet member for health and housing, Councillor Kevin Nicholson, said: "For me any appointment that is missed is obviously disappointing, but I think it's really important for the Primary Care Network and the council to understand the reasons for those missed appointments. 

"It could be a number of reasons why they may have been missed - particularly the follow up jab. We want to encourage people to come forward and get vaccinated when it's their chance." 

Nearly a quarter of people aged 45 and over in Darlington have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

NHS data shows 20,488 people had received both jabs by April 25 – 24 per cent of those aged 16 and over, based on the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Of those to have received both jabs, 17,263 were aged 45 and over – 34% of the age group.

It means 3,225 people aged between 16 and 44 have received both doses.
The figures also show 57,125 people in Darlington have received at least one jab – 66% of those aged 16 and over.

It comes as the Government announced an extra 60 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus jab have been secured for a booster vaccination programme in the autumn.
Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy chief medical officer, has said the vaccine could reduce a third wave of the virus, but warned it was “inconceivable” that there will not be further bumps in the road.

Speaking at a Downing Street press briefing, he said: “What is important about these vaccines and the vaccine rollout is it really is the way out of getting into trouble of the same size and magnitude ever again, and that’s why it’s important that this job must get finished.”

The data reveals variation in coverage for residents who had received at least one dose between different areas across Darlington.

The proportion of people prioritised for vaccinations, such as those aged 42 and over, is one factor that could affect vaccine coverage.

Areas with the highest coverage:

  • Hummersknott, with 76.5% of people aged 16 and over given their first dose
  • Middleton & Hurworth, 74.9%
  • Faverdale, Heighington & Sadberge, 73.4%

Areas with the lowest coverage

  • Central Darlington, 47.3%
  •  Park East, 57.6%
  •  Firthmoor, 57.7%