CAROLINE ANSELL MP: Vaccine approval is great news for Christmas

The UK has 40 million doses ordered and rollout, initially in care homes, is due to start next week. This is a game changer. We also have the AstraZeneca/University of Oxford vaccine close to approval too. Things are certainly looking up.

I posted the news as soon as I could on my Facebook page but was quickly depressed to see a host of negative comments about how the company will make big profits or the vaccine probably isn’t safe.

This vaccine has undergone the exact same regulatory hurdles as all other medicines just in double quick time and is considered safe by a host of experts.

Such misinformation by so-called anti-vaxxers is just dangerous and I urge people to look at the facts from reputable sources, not the nonsense peddled on social media by those who see conspiracies everywhere but never offer any proof.

I will be waiting my turn to receive this vaccine and I will be rolling up my sleeve when I’m called forward. Like polio and smallpox and a host of other vaccinations humans have developed against diseases that used to kill millions, this one will also save countless lives.

Small Business Saturday is this weekend December 5 and I will be out in Eastbourne buying as many presents as I can from our wonderful local retailers and crafters in support of independent shops.

It’s absolutely vital this year that everyone considers buying local otherwise these retailers, so badly hit by the pandemic, might not survive until next Christmas. Please share the retail love all around our town on Saturday and all the days up to Christmas.

For those who want an idea of what’s available, I have joined forces with the Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce to set up an online directory called Made in Eastbourne. It lists score of local producers selling gifts, food and drink and services. Please go to www.madeineastbourne.co.uk and start shopping.

I voted in support of the government’s tier approach to Covid-19 restrictions this week and now Eastbourne and Willingdon are in Tier Two .

Sadly, infection rates in East Sussex have shot up. The county moved from 146th to 118th highest case rate in only one week and I believe there is no alternative if lives are to be saved and the NHS not overwhelmed.

The good news is shops, hairdressers and gyms can reopen and the economy can get moving again in the run up to Christmas. The bad news is our hospitality industry will continue to struggle under these restrictions and I remain very concerned about this. I continue to lobby the government for more help for this sector.

One of the most powerful things we can all do to help is to keep to the regulations so we can emerge to Tier 1 as soon as possible. As I write, the first review is just thirteen days away.

Please take care and keep in touch.