Policy on ‘foreign’ jabs a problem

• THE National Health Service and Islington Council are urging the public to take second and booster Covid-19 vaccinations.

However there is a large body of people who are desperate to do so but are being denied these, and subsequent vaccine passports, because they received their first vaccine dose abroad.

I am currently assisting a neighbour who received her first AstraZeneca dose in the United Kingdom but then had to return to her country of origin to deal with a family bereavement.

She intended to stay there for three weeks but was marooned for three months owing to travel restrictions imposed at the height of the pandemic.

During this time the NHS contacted her to arrange for her second vaccine. However, as she was unable to return to the United Kingdom, she had her second AstraZeneca dose at a major hospital in her home country.

On her return to the UK she applied for her booster jab and vaccine passport, both of which were refused even though her GP practice had accepted her second vaccine certificate and amended their records accordingly.

The Covid Information and Resolution Service say that they are aware of this widespread problem, which may take months to resolve. In the meantime those affected are at risk of being infected by – and spreading – Covid-19.

This situation also has serious implications for the NHS itself, whose unvaccinated staff face dismissal early next year.

DAVID BARNES
Highbury Quadrant, N5