The council has set up a helpline so that the clinically extremely vulnerable people in the borough can get to their vaccination appointments easier.

As people across Sittingbourne, Sheerness and Faversham anticipate receiving their jab to fight off Covid-19, many don't realise something as essential as transport can be a barrier for some in Swale.

The local authority is now working alongside Swale Community and Voluntary Services (Swale CVS) to transport these people to their vaccinations.

Anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable is asked to call the council's support line on 01795 417525 for help.

The authority will make a referral for them to Swale CVS who will match them up with a volunteer driver who will collect them from their home, take them to the appointment and drop them back for free.

Cllr Angela Harrison, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "We know that many people in Swale are greatly anticipating their coronavirus vaccinations, but something as essential as transport can potentially be a barrier for some in the borough.

“That is why we are working with Swale CVS to provide free essential transportation to and from the vaccination sites so that we can help ensure as many people as possible are getting their vaccine.

'This vaccine is the first step towards us moving back to some form of normality.'

“The NHS is working hard on the fast roll out of the vaccine, and we want to ensure that those who are unable to travel still have a way to get their vaccine safely. This vaccine is the first step towards us moving back to some form of normality.”

The council says it is fully funding the transport which will be "Covid secure" to ensure the safety of passenger and the driver and is being supplied by volunteer driver from Swale CVS.

Earlier this week one elderly Sittingbourne couple were shocked when they were invited to make an 80 mile round trip to get jabbed for coronavirus.

Instead of being offered an appointment at the town's Age UK vaccine hub in the Avenue of Remembrance, Dorothy Greenhill, 72, and her husband John, 71, were given a list of 29 venues, including Folkestone, Dagenham and sites in London.

Mr Greenhill, of College Road, said: “It is absurd. We couldn’t believe it. The letter said we could wait until we were invited by our GP or we could use a computer or phone to book.

"I was astounded when I looked at the venues we were being offered. There was no mention of the Age UK centre or The Chestnuts surgery in East Street.

“I really don’t know how they think we could get there when we don’t have a car. We would be expected to use public transport at exactly the same time the government is telling us all to stay home.

“We have now decided to wait but our surgery in London Road just tells us we will be contacted when it has some vaccines.”

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