IN FULL: Mass Covid vaccination centre planned in Luton to help beat virus

A mass Covid vaccination centre is one of the measures being prepared for the town, and Luton & Dunstable Hospital took a delivery of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine yesterday (Monday).

The process involves "battle line decision-making", according to Dr Nina Pearson, clinical director of BLMK CCG (Beds, Luton and MK clinical commissioning groups).

"It's a public health emergency," Dr Pearson told the council's health and social care review group yesterday (Monday).

"We're trying to hit as many people as we can at risk. We know that after one shot, a severe illness is way reduced.

"I don't think there were any deaths after one vaccine shot. Your longer-term immunity is better after your second shot.

"If we all had two shots of flu vaccine, we would have higher anti-bodies."

Labour Northwell councillor Anne Donelon asked local health staff: "What's happening for the most vulnerable sector about getting this Oxford vaccine?"

Dr Nicky Poulain responded: "The first one approved, the Pfizer-BioNTech, is really difficult logistically because it had to be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius.

"You need special fridges to store vaccines at that temperature. We had about three-and-a-half days to use the vaccine."

She described the Oxford-AstraZeneca as "a game changer, because it's a bit like the flu vaccine and much easier to use".

In early December, 50 hospitals in England were allocated as sites for vaccinations, with Milton Keynes selected locally, she explained.

"But, as of today, Luton and Dunstable Hospital took a delivery of the vaccine."

Dr Pearson said: "What we know is the most at risk group for dying from Covid is the very elderly.

"The older you are the higher your risk of dying.

"Now we can go into care homes with the AstraZeneca option because it's stable to do that.

"Mass vaccination in the care homes will be the first priority as the delivery arrives.

"Gradually we'll work down the age groups and get into the 60- to 65-year-olds with long-term conditions.

"The limiting factor for us currently is the supply of the vaccine.

"It's not that we can't get organised or we haven't got enough staff," she added.

"Our supply chain will get much better as we go through January. It's a massive undertaking.

"Individuals will be contacted by their practice as soon as their opportunity comes up."

Labour South councillor David Agbley raised concerns about people with various allergies.

Dr Pearson replied: "It's about risk and benefit. If you usually have an ordinary flu vaccine, the AstraZeneca one would be fine."

Labour Limbury councillor Robert Roche asked about the location for the mass vaccination site in the town.

But the decision has not been revealed yet, although it has been shared with the borough council.

Conservative Icknield councillor Jeff Petts said residents are wondering what's in the AstraZeneca vaccine and if it's safe.

Dr Pearson reassured everyone: "It's the same technology which is used to make flu vaccines, so I'm very confident in it.

"This has been tested on thousands of people before it became available to the wider public.

"Far higher numbers were tested than for the usual flu vaccine."