NHS slam 'reprehensible' queue jumpers who are claiming to be carers to get Covid vaccine early

THE NHS has slammed "reprehensible" queue jumpers who are claiming to be carers in order to get their Covid vaccine early.

Officials aren't thoroughly checking the credentials of people when they turn up for their appointments, people who have had the jab claim. 

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NHS bosses say carers and NHS staff must provide proof of their occupation when they go to get vaccinated, such as letter identifying them as a registered carer.

But dozens of Brits who claim to have been jabbed have said there were "no checks" and no need to provide any proof of identity.

One person wrote on Twitter: "Had the Covid vaccine. It was straightforward and painless.

"If you are a carer, get yourself an appointment. You don't even have to be a carer — no checks."

A second person said: "I got mine today. Didn't need to provide any proof or anything. Not even identity."

And another wrote: "My Dad didn't have to show anything when he got his — just shared his name but didn't have to show anything to prove it."

An NHS spokesperson told MailOnline that queue-jumping is "reprehensible" but did not deny that people have been able to get the vaccine when they should not be.

A spokesperson said: "People are being invited to receive a vaccine in line with guidance set by the JCVI, so that the most vulnerable are protected first. 

"While it is reprehensible to try to jump the queue ahead of the priority groups, anyone who books to get the vaccine fraudulently should be turned away."

JAB JUMPERS

All adults are set to be vaccinated by July – which goes hand-in-hand with the goal of easing all coronavirus restrictions by the summer.

Meanwhile, the new Covid vaccine app is being trialled in the next two weeks on routes between London and Singapore, with hopes to launch more widely soon after.

Created by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the app, which will store evidence of a negative coronavirus test as well as proof of vaccinations, has raised hopes of summer holidays resuming.

Boris Johnson has said there "may well be a role" for vaccine passports for both domestic and overseas reasons, but is yet to confirm how they will be introduced for British travellers.

Holidays abroad have not been given the go-ahead yet with the UK government's Global Taskforce to announce an update on April 12.

It is hoped that they will go ahead from May 17 at the earliest, when UK group holidays go ahead, although is more likely to be from June 21.

Countries such as Spain and Greece have supported vaccine passports to allow Brits to return in time for the summer.

While non-vaccinated travellers won't be banned from entering the country, they will instead face travel restrictions such as tests and quarantines.

Spain's tourism minister Maria Reyes Maroto has described vaccine passports as a “priority," alongside travel corridors adding: "The travel corridors will incorporate Covid-status certificates as an element of safe mobility.

"Tourism is a priority sector and we have worked not only on protective elements, but also on equipping ourselves with the tools to restore safe mobility.”


 

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