ORGANISERS behind a vaccine hub which has been set up at Newbury Racecourse have been accused of prioritising "wealth over health" for closing the vaccine facility for race days.

The service has provided up to 1,500 jabs daily since opening its vaccination hub on Thursday last week as part of the nationwide drive to inoculate against the virus.

But less than a week later, the centre will shut for today for a scheduled race day.

READ MORE: Newbury vaccination hub to CLOSE for 24 hours for horse racing

Racecourse representatives have said that the agreement all along was for the hub to be closed on race days, but some locals disagree with the decision, questioning the company's "priorities" during the pandemic.

Reacting to the announcement, Sarah Maskell said: "Wealth over heath!" while Pippa Balbini added: "Because gambling is so more important than saving lives?"

Dave Fostekew said: "Plenty of time in future for racing! Human life more important."

Kim Goldsmith described the situation as "wrong", and Kim Binks added: "Nothing like getting your priorities right."

However, some believed that the decision was a fair one.

Dan Funders commented: "Hang on, the race course have given their venue over to the vaccine.

"They still need to make money" and Lorraine Graham said: "They [Newbury Racecourse] like hundreds of thousands of hospitality businesses (hopefully) continue to trade and be there for our recreational enjoyment once this awful situation is over.

"They have gone over and above to support OUR local community throughout this period and I for one applaud that!!

"Truth is there probably wouldn’t be a supply of vaccine to administer for the full week anyway which is increasingly going to become more of an issue going forward.

"THANK YOU Newbury Racecourse."

Reading Chronicle: Pictured: Facebook responses to articlePictured: Facebook responses to article

Pictured: Facebook responses to article

A spokesperson from Newbury Racecourse said: "When the NHS first approached Newbury Racecourse to use one of the Grandstands as a local vaccination centre, they were made aware of our scheduled racing meeting on Wednesday 20 January and all future fixtures.

"It was also made clear that under the BHA and government guidance for elite sport with our current layout, the vaccination centre could not operate on live racedays.

"We understand the NHS considered this carefully and given the centre is not providing vaccinations to the public seven days per week, they have planned their vaccination programme accordingly to work around the two racedays we host in the next 42 days.

"Following the success of the first week of the vaccination centre with positive feedback from patients, we now have an established operational model that the NHS wish to use moving forward.

"As a result, we are now able to approach the BHA to see if an exception can be made to the regulations for future racedays, allowing the vaccination centre to operate alongside racing if required.

"Newbury Racecourse is extremely proud to play a small part in the fight against Covid-19 capitalising on the abundance of space we have to offer and have played a role throughout the pandemic as a community hub, acting as a Primary Care Unit during the first lockdown and operating a Meals on Wheels service to some of the most vulnerable and elderly in the area.

Reading Chronicle: Pictured: Newbury RacecoursePictured: Newbury Racecourse

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"Together with West Berks NHS, the local GP surgeries and the host of volunteers, we remain completely committed to supporting the local community and surrounding area during this challenging time."

A spokesperson for Berkshire West CCG said: “Local NHS staff are working hard to continue to deliver vaccinations throughout the week and into the weekend, and we are working with Newbury Racecourse so vaccinations can continue to take place safely on race days in future.”