Harrogate Lib Dems' plea for teachers and school staff to get vaccine priority

MP praises vaccine rollout in Harrogate but expresses dismay at verbal abuse of NHS staff

Harrogate & Knaresborough Liberal Democrats say they welcome the international efforts to make the vaccines available quickly but have also been alarmed by reports of "glitches" in the delivery of the vaccine in several parts of this country.

Judith Rogerson, Harrogate & Knaresborough Lib Dems' parliamentary spokesperson, said: “It has been an incredible international effort to make the vaccines available so quickly.

"An end to this dreadful pandemic is slowly coming into sight and we should always be grateful to the scientists who worked so hard to make it happen.

"But it is going to take a huge amount of work from our healthcare workers and volunteers to roll out the vaccines.

"It’s absolutely crucial that the Government gives them the support that they need to get this done quickly and efficiently.

"The Lib Dems are calling for the Government to make it a priority to vaccinate teachers and school staff, so all children can get back to school sooner rather than later."

Lib Dem councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the opposition party on Harrogate Borough Council, said supply chains of the vaccine needed to be more robust.

She said: "The Government needs to ensure that robust supply chains are in place to enable the vaccine to be delivered to where it will be administered, at the moment there appears to be glitches in several areas of the country."

Coun Marsh said she encouraged eveyone to use the new vaccination centre in Harrogate at the Great Yorkshire Showground when invited.

She said: "I am pleased that in Harrogate we have created one point where people will be called to be vaccinated rather than having to go to the GP surgeries.

"I have no direct experience but from a relative who attended the whole thing was very safe, easy and efficient.

"What I would urge everyone to do is when asked to go for a vaccination that they go

"If we all do this we can bring the hope of a much safer future for us all.

"This is about protecting not just ourselves but our community and beyond."

Lib Dem national leader Ed Davey has joined a national newspaper's call for volunteers to help the vaccine rollout by signing up himself to be an NHS Volunteer Responder.

Harrogate College takes 'difficult decision' to cancel all January exams and plans mass testing of students and staff

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