Unused Covid vaccinations offered to staff and parents as cases of Indian variant rise in Bedford

A limited supply of the Pfizer vaccines that would otherwise go to waste have been secured to help control the rising rate of infection in Bedford

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group, Bedford Hospital and Bedford Borough Council are offering them to teachers, parents and carers aged 30-39.

Vicky Head, director of public health at Bedford Borough Council said: “There have been 199 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Bedford borough over the last seven days, a sharp increase we did not want to see, including cases at some educational settings in the borough.

“The Covid-19 vaccines have been shown to be very effective at preventing infection and serious illness so it’s really important that people get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.

"Nationally anyone over 38 can now be vaccinated and there is good availability for appointments at the moment, so I would urge anyone who is eligible and has not yet been vaccinated to book their jab as soon as possible.

“We have worked with the most affected schools and colleges and our NHS colleagues to put vaccines that would otherwise be wasted to good use. By vaccinating those aged 30-39 who work or have children at some educational settings, we are helping to reduce transmission in the borough.”

Vaccine appointments for people over 38 can be booked online or by calling 119.

More details on testing is available on the Bedford Borough Council website