Medical chiefs launch probe after non-league Chesterfield were given leftover Covid-19 vaccines

Derbyshire medical chiefs launch investigation after three players and three staff members at non-league Chesterfield were given leftover Covid-19 vaccines

  • The Covid-19 vaccine is currently reserved for over-70s as the rollout continues 
  • Non-league Chesterfield received leftover Pfizer jab from a local medical centre
  • NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group have launched probe

An investigation has been opened after Sportsmail revealed that players and staff at National League side Chesterfield were given the Pfizer vaccine, with the NHS saying it is ‘unacceptable to jump the queue’.

It is understood that three players and three members of staff received vaccinations at short notice last week and NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group are investigating the circumstances.

They said in a statement: ‘It is unacceptable to jump the queue ahead of people most at risk and the NHS guidance is clear that vaccination services must manage their lists to ensure all appointments are filled and they have a back-up list of high-risk people — those aged 70 and over or who are clinically extremely vulnerable — who can receive the vaccine at short notice.’ 

Chesterfield have been criticised for handing-out Covid-19 vaccines to players and staff

The club said some of the six were classed as vulnerable and that they were told by the surgery that all other options had been exhausted and that the vaccine would have been wasted if they had not had the jabs.

It is understood the call to the club came about after earlier discussions in which they offered their facilities as a vaccination centre. The club are understood to have been told their staff could be put on a ‘standby list’ for a call if the surgery was unable to find anyone else willing to take up the appointments at short notice.

A statement from the National League club read: ‘A small number of Chesterfield players and staff – most of whom are classed as vulnerable people – have received the Covid-19 vaccine.

Players and staff at the National League side were given the Pfizer vaccine last week

Players and staff at the National League side were given the Pfizer vaccine last week

‘In line with the NHS’ directive – that doctors and staff have the discretion to ensure that they can make full use of any unused vaccines, rather than have any go to waste – the people concerned were called at very short notice to receive the vaccine.

‘They were only contacted after the surgery had exhausted all other viable options. Those involved were keen that these vaccines were not wasted, which would have been the case had they not received them.

‘We continue to support the NHS’s brilliant work and have provided Covid-19 testing facilities at our stadium throughout the pandemic, so vital care can be administered.’

The club acquired leftover vaccines - meant for over-70s - from a nearby medical centre

The club acquired leftover vaccines – meant for over-70s – from a nearby medical centre