Hundreds of Covid jabs cancelled at Northamptonshire's largest GP surgery

Northamptonshire's largest GP practice has been forced to cancel hundreds of Covid-19 vaccine jabs.

Medics were geared up to start a four-day programme of vaccinating elderly and vulnerable patients today (Monday) after instructions from the NHS.

But, as the number of positive test in the county hit a five-week high, Lakeside Healthcare in Corby admitted on Friday that its vaccine allocation will not now arrive before Christmas.

More surgeries in the east of the county have also had to cancel jabs after issues with refrigerating doses of the vaccine.

A message to the Lakeside's 49,000-plus registered patients said: "We will not now be receiving a supply of the vaccine in time to commence vaccinations.

"At this time we have not been given a date when we can expect to receive the vaccines.

"It is therefore with regret we must cancel Covid-19 vaccination appointments made for December 21, 22, 23 and 24.

"Whilst this is for reasons entirely out of our control, please accept our apologies and be assured we will make NHS England aware of the impact this delay has on our patients.

"As soon as we have confirmation of a revised date for delivery, we will be in touch to rearrange your appointment."

An NHS spokesman did not disclose reasons behind the cancellations, adding: “Our teams are working hard to ensure we can provide the Covid-19 vaccine to as many people as possible, in line with national guidance.

“Sometimes we have to rearrange appointments. We apologise to anyone affected by this but we remain committed to administering the vaccine as soon as we can to those who are eligible."

More jabs were also put back at surgeries in Rushden, Higham Ferrers and Irthlingborough after a fridge supposed to keep the heralded Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a strict MINUS 70°C apparently failed earlier in the week.

A statement from Harborough Field Surgery, in Rushden, said: "This vaccine poses a number of complex logistical challenges and must be stored at the correct temperature prior to use.

"We apologise for needing to reschedule some vaccinations, and will ensure people are invited again as soon as possible."

According to figures from Public Health England, Northamptonshire saw nearly 1,000 positive tests in four days up to 4pm on Saturday.

And the GP chair of Northamptonshire Clinical Commissioning Group told Friday's weekly Covid-19 press conference that rolling out the vaccines in the county had been going well.

Dr Jo Watt said: "This is the biggest campaign ever seen as a country and as a county and it's going to take a number of months but we are so excited and pleased to see thousands of vaccinations having been delivered across our county.

"This vaccine is the beginning of us fighting this virus and getting back to some sort of normality but this is not over yet.

"But please bear with us and don't nag your GP surgery. You WILL be called.

"We are going to all corners of the county making sure everybody who is over 80 and care home workers are covered."