Covid jab given to Belfast arts sector and community groups before frontline staff... trust 'truly sorry'

Belfast Health Trust has apologised after some community groups were offered the vaccine in error. (Yui Mok/PA)

Allan Preston Twitter Email

February 10 2021 11:07 AM

The Belfast Trust has apologised after Covid-19 vaccines were wrongly handed out to community and voluntary groups ahead of other frontline workers.

Vaccines were incorrectly handed out to groups in the arts sector, community groups, childcare and relationship counsellors, the BBC Stephen Nolan show reported.

The Belfast Trust has not revealed how many vaccines were given out in error.

Julieann McNally from Care Home Advice and Support NI told the BBC she was shocked by the development.

She questioned why a scheme to allow family members to become care partners had still not seen them eligible for vaccination.

“We are appalled this morning that this vaccination has been offered to other groups in community sectors that possibly did not need it,” she said.

“Other vulnerable groups should surely have been more of a priority than people in community sectors.

“We have families reaching out to us now who have loved ones in care homes, relatives with learning disabilities in residential care and the community. They’re vulnerable and they can’t get it.”

The Belfast Telegraph contacted the Health Trust for comment.

It told the BBC a letter was issued on January 21 inviting staff in some community and voluntary organisations to book a vaccination.

Following a review it was identified the letter had been issued to some organisations in error.

“We contacted the groups to clarify that only staff working with physiologically vulnerable adults, for example those with heart or respiratory conditions, were invited forward to have the Covid-19 vaccine.”

The statement added: “We are truly sorry that this has happened and for any frustration and disappointment this has caused.”

Covid jab given to Belfast arts sector and community groups before frontline staff... trust 'truly sorry'

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