Respected former doctor urges 'everyone that is offered a vaccine to take it immediately'

Dr Joseph Chandy, who was a GP in East Durham for nearly half a century, was speaking after receiving his first anti-coronavirus jab in his former consulting room.

A recent official survey suggests “vaccine hesitancy” is prevalent within Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

But Dr Chandy, who turned 80 in January, insisted: “We have a moral duty to protect each other.

"I urge everyone that is offered a vaccination to take it immediately. I even had my injection last week as soon as I was offered.”

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has said data on the number of people from ethnic minority groups who have so far received a jab would shortly be available.

Speaking on Tuesday, January 26, Mr Zahawi added: “I mentioned that 85% figure of people in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) survey saying they will very likely or most likely take a vaccine.

“The 15% does skew heavily towards BAME communities and we are working across Government, we have a plan and, of course, a strategy to deliver this through working with local government.”

Dr Chandy, from Peterlee, retired six years ago as a GP and has “a hint of regret” that he is unable to assist in the ongoing battle against coronavirus.

He ran a surgery in Horden for 45 years and was the mastermind behind the building of the village’s adjoining Shinwell Medical Centre and Jack Dormand Nursing Home.

His son, Joseph Chandy Junior, became managing partner and the practice, now known as the East Durham Medical Group, currently spans six sites with 18,000 patients.

Dr Chandy himself has remained active since his retirement and two years ago wrote a book about his pioneering work to tackle deadly Vitamin B12 deficiency.

His solution – offering nutritional supplements rather than expensive drugs to tackle the symptoms – has helped people suffering with issues such as sight problems, infertility, pins and needles, tiredness and depression.

The B12d charity he founded to support his work has attracted pleas for help from as far away as America, India and Australia.

Further details are available from www.b12d.org/

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