PLANS to bring a coronavirus vaccine centre to Halstead remain in doubt after contradicting reports.

Residents in the Halstead area will have to travel to Earls Colne in order to get their jabs after it was confirmed the Pump House Surgery in the village is the area’s primary vaccine centre.

With the Earls Colne Centre opening last Thursday, residents in Halstead and villages such as Sible Hedingham raised concerns about the distance vulnerable residents would be forced to travel to get the vaccine.

Some residents were left hoping for a centre to open in Halstead to spare vulnerable residents travelling the long distances.

Councillor Jo Beavis, who is the district and county representative for the Hedinghams ward and the Halstead division, voiced her concerns following the Earls Colne announcement on January 6.

The councillor felt Halstead would be a better location for the centre and was left wondering why the town’s Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery was dismissed.

Mrs Beavis said: “We are sure we are speaking for the vast population of the residents we represent to seek clarification and answers about the availability and location of vaccination centres in the Braintree district.”

However, residents will have to wait for a centre in the town after it was announced by the Mid and South Essex Clinical Care Group that there are no current plans for a centre in Halstead.

A Mid and South Essex CCG spokesman said: “Each of the GP-led vaccination sites are run by primary care networks (PCNs) that see GP practices working together in geographic areas to ensure vaccinations are available to all residents.

“Halstead falls within the Colne Valley PCN which agreed that the most suitable site for their PCN would be Pump House Surgery in Earls Colne.

“That site started vaccinations on Thursday, January 14.

“There are currently no plans to open any more PCN vaccination sites in mid and south Essex.”

The news may come as a disappointment for residents as it comes following an announcement by the Essex County Council leader David Finch which appeared to contradict the clinical care group.

He is reported to have told a Sible Hedingham Parish Council meeting last week that Halstead could expect to see its own vaccination centre soon.

However, it now appears that has been quashed by the Mid and South Essex Clinical Care Group and residents will use the Pump House Surgery in Earls Colne for their vaccination jabs.