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By Piers Myler - Local Democracy Reporter Previous queues for Covid vaccines at Saxon Hall in Southend A 90-year-old woman was offered a Covid-19 vaccine jab in south Essex which was more than 20 miles away from her home. Council bosses have said vaccination programmes in the north of Essex are not working after the woman was offered a jab at a centre in Runwell, Wickford. This is despite a pledge that no-one would have to travel more than ten miles. Graham Butland, leader of Braintree District Council and county councillor, told its health scrutiny committee: “It is quite clear the Primary Care Networks (PCN) are organising themselves to suit the conveniences of the practices and not the conveniences of the patients.” ....
“There is a PCN in this district which is offering for people to go to Danbury to receive the vaccination. “I thought there was a national guarantee that no member of the public would have to travel more than 10 miles. “Danbury is much more than 10 miles – it is closer to 16 miles for people in Great Notley to go there. Mr Butland continued: “I had a lady of 90 contact me who lives in Great Notley and was offered following a phone call to 119 – where she was asked to press option 3 – which is very good if you live in Wales , but 119 option one is what was needed for England – and she was offered a vaccination in Runwell. ....