DOZENS of Harlow residents have had to wait well over an hour in close to freezing temperatures in order to get their Covid-19 vaccine this morning (Wednesday).

YH has been in-undated with calls from anxious and upset relatives of elderly parents who had turned up at Lister House surgery in Staple Tye for their vaccine.

They had been given an allocated time but the whole system seems to have been thrown into chaos this morning.

YH spoke to Carol Middleton, whose 90-year-old mother, Irene, went to Lister House at 11am this morning.

Carol said: “Mum was in the queue outside the building for about 1 hour ten minutes. She spoke to there’s who had been waiting longer.

Some people were so cold they had to be taken home to get warmer clothes or blankets, and then had to rejoin the queue at the back, so the appointment times people were given in the end became pointless as it was first come first served.

“Some people were taking off their own coats to put round their elderly relatives. Mum says some people were really suffering.

Mum is a hardy soul but even she said she is still shivering and struggling to warm up.

“It seems several people were given the same appointment times, plus the spacing of appointment didn’t take account of the time it takes to see one person.

“There are forms to be filled out, then the vaccine is given, then a 15 minute wait before you are allowed to leave.

A source, who did not wish to be named has told YH that this may well be a staffing issue. They said: “They have been working with the voluntary groups such as Rainbow Services but if Lister House are doing it on their own today then that is a big ask.

“Getting 300 done a day is a challenge but if they have tried to do more without volunteers then it is no wonder there is chaos.

“Either way, surely they need to pay people to do the job over ugh next few month or there will be a repeat of today.

“There are a lot of cold days to come”.

Another person told YH: “Another problem could be that social distancing seems to have broken down. Looks like people were huddling together.

“The queue might end up exacerbating the problem rather than solving it”.

YH has also spoken to Harlow MP Robert Halfon.

He said: “I am very concerned regarding this situation.

“I have spoken to Dr Rob Gerlis, the chair of the West Essex CCG and have suggested they need to put out chairs and gazebos.”

Harlow Council leader, cllr Mark Ingall has also expressed his concerns and pledged to look into it.

By 1.30pm the queue had gone. It is not known if everyone was treated.

We have asked West Essex CCG for a comment and will publish a response in due course.

More follows