TWO councillors in Bradford Moor have demanded the Covid-19 vaccination be given to younger people as the government's current roll-out strategy does not benefit communities suffering from "health inequalities."

"Residents of the Bradford district need to be protected and offered vaccine available to all," said Councillor Zafar Iqbal ( Lab, Bradford Moor).

"Health inequalities for communities in Bradford Moor and across Bradford district are putting constituents at risk of dying from Covid-19.

"Whilst the government has prioritised people aged 70 years and over 80 years old as a priority to have the vaccine, but sadly many of my residents don’t reach their 80th birthday and this government is offering no protection for such communities

"Delay in getting vaccine is putting many young people at risk of dying. We have already lost so many members of communities to this deadly virus, whilst Bradford district residents at large is complying with the government guidelines in relation to current pandemic.

"We have to put pressure on the government to get vaccine rolled out to everyone

"Anyone should have access to it. It shouldn't be the government's choice. It should be the people's choice.

"The way they are doing it now, it's going to take a long time and won't be effective.

"The problem is younger people can pass it on, and it's the younger people who are out and about.

"At the moment they're giving the vaccine to people who are staying in anyway. You don't 70 and 80 year olds going outside.

"The goal should be to stop the spread. We need to control the younger generation to stop the spread continuing.

"If we don't stop people passing it around, we won't stop the deaths.

"People should have the choice to go a get the vaccine. There shouldn't be a barrier."

Cllr Mohammed Shafiq also stressed: "The sad thing that many of the residents in in this ward don't reach their 80th birthday due to the health inequalities. So Bradford Moor needs to be vaccinated as soon as possible."

Cllr Shafiq said he has been told that one of the local surgeries has the resources available and could stand ready to open 24 hours if enough of vaccine is supplied.

The problem is he said that surgeries do not have enough supply of the vaccine, and therefore cannot roll out a vaccine programme to all of their patients. .

Cllr Iqbal added:"I urge the government to make enough vaccine available to all of the GPs in Bradford, so GPs can then provide vaccines to their patients rapidly and safely.

" This government should put people’s safety first and allow enough of supplies to our GPs to vaccinate all residents in Bradford district.

Cllr Shafiq said that some of his own family members have had vaccine and they are fine.

He said: "I am also urging everyone to have vaccine so we can get back to normality and open our city for business again."

Cllr Iqball added: "We also want to encourage people to go get the vaccine.

" I've spoken to to couple of doctors and people are not turning up for their appointments.

"Leftover vaccines are having to be thrown away at the end of the day. Vaccines should not be wasted."