MP raises concern over reports of unused vaccines being thrown away

It comes amid reports on social media, including a tweet from EveryDoctor, a campaign organisation run by doctors.

The tweet said it had been told by six doctors in different areas that their workplace is being told to throw away waste vaccines, from missed appointments, at the end of the day instead of giving NHS staff their second dose. 

The places where this is claimed to have happened were not specified, but Mr Hussain said such reports were “deeply concerning” and that he had pressed the matter with Bradford health chiefs.

He said: “As many people will have seen, there are a number of reports circulating on social media regarding unused coronavirus vaccines across the country being disposed of, and these reports are understandably deeply concerning as national infection rates and the number of deaths continues to rise.

“I have therefore pressed this matter with Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust during a meeting with healthcare partners across the Bradford district and wider area, who have provided me with a categoric assurance that no sites operated by the Trust are disposing of unused vaccines.”

He added: “We cannot afford to waste any vaccines and we need to rapidly increase the pace of its delivery across Bradford, which is why I’m also calling for the Health Secretary to provide Government support to establish two further sites at St Luke’s Hospital and Eccleshill Community Hospital in order to assist with the rollout.”

On Mr Hussain's calls for extra vaccine hubs, A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Vaccines are the way out of this pandemic and nearly three million of our most vulnerable people, and those who care for them, have already received their first dose.

“Almost 1,200 vaccination sites are up and running across the UK, and hundreds more are opening soon to help those who are most at risk from COVID-19 to access vaccines for free, regardless of where they live.”