REASURRANCE has been given to Thurrock residents that another local Covid-19 vaccination centre will be available in the near future after a letter from the NHS appears to have spread some confusion and concern.

In the borough currently there is currently just one venue offering vaccinations – Stifford Clays Health Centre – which is slowly working its way through the list of referred people in the over 80s category notified to it by the network of local GP practices.

Basildon & Thurrock Hospital also has a vaccination centre which is available to residents in the borough, but in general demand is currently outstripping supply.

With three vaccines now approved for the UK health service, the NHS has written to residents telling them about seven new regional vaccination centre which will come on stream this week, the nearest to Thurrock being the Excel Centre, Epsom Racecourse and a centre in Stevenage.

However, the letter appears to have sown the seeds of confusion rather than helping.

One elderly Thurrock resident has highlighted the confusion and concern, contacting local councillor Gary Byrne to ask for help and clarification. Her concerns have been reflected by several other posts on local social media.

She asked of Cllr Byrne: "Can you help me. I received a letter from the NHS regarding vaccine, I tried to phone 119 as it said and only got a repeated message so I tried online and was offered Victoria Dock (the Excel Centre), Epsom racecourse or Stevenage.

"I am in a wheelchair and though my husband drives he is 81 and not really confident of driving in London traffic. Surely there is somewhere nearer."

Cllr Byrne contacted Thurrock Nub News and in turn we sought help from Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group who responded this afternoon (Sunday, 10 January) by saying: "People aged 80+ are now getting a national NHS letter inviting them to book a COVID vaccination. If they would prefer a local appointment arranged by their own GP, they can wait and will be contacted shortly.

"We will have details of Thurrock's next vaccination site early next week."

It has been announced independently of the CCG that Chadwell Medical Centre will be a vaccination centre but this has not been confirmed by the CCG.