A mother who cancelled her son's 15th birthday celebrations to reduce social contact ahead of his Covid-19 vaccination says she feels 'very let down' - after Covid jabs at a Bristol school were cancelled due to staff shortages.
Suzy Barnes received an email at 8.45am on Monday morning (October 4) informing her the vaccinations at a Bristol school were cancelled as Sirona Care and Health, who were due to administer the vaccines, had staff shortages.
Suzy, who had prepared for her son's vaccine on Monday by limiting the social contact in advance of his vaccination as he has asthma, cancelled a planned film night with his friends.
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She said: “I dropped my son off at school at 8.20 and wished him luck for the vaccine. We then received an email this morning at 8.45 to inform us of the cancellation of Monday’s vaccine clinic.
"I feel very let down because it’s been a long road to get this far. He has asthma and we have been waiting 18 months for this and I have never been ok with kids developing immunity through infection.
"My son turned 15 on Friday. We cancelled a planned film night with his local friends on Saturday evening to reduce social contact in advance of the vaccination.
"My other son missed his usual drama club at Bristol Old Vic young company.
"We did this to reduce risk on contracting covid so close to their vaccinations. Other parents are frustrated at the vaccine clinic being cancelled."
The email sent to parents on Monday by the school stated: “We have been informed by Sirona that they are unable to attend school to carry out the vaccines today and tomorrow, due to staff shortages.
"They have informed us that they will contact us with alternative dates as soon as they are able to.”
Sirona Care and Health, who were due to administer the vaccination clinic, are funded by the NHS and local authorities, look after adults and children at home and at school.
An NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Vaccination Programme spokesperson said: "The vaccination clinic at the school was cancelled due to staff illness and will be rescheduled for a later date.
“Staff vaccinating children undertake specialist training, so it is not straightforward to replace them at short notice.
“Our Vaccination Programme is working closely with schools and families to roll out the school-based winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, and will give as much notice as possible if plans have to change.”
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