BOURNEMOUTH MPs said it is important the vaccination centre at the BIC gets back underway after it became “overwhelmed” with students on Wednesday.

The BIC offered vaccinations to students at Bournemouth University, but had to scrap the offer after a hectic morning.

And MPs for Bournemouth, Tobias Ellwood and Conor Burns said it was important the vaccination programme got back on track.

MP for Bournemouth East, Tobias Ellwood, who has volunteered at the vaccination centre, said: “We must learn from this. This is all unprecedented, we have not been here before.

“It’s a well-intended initiative, we have to learn from it.

“It’s an unfortunate breakdown in the messaging that led to the situation, we will learn to make sure priority groups get vaccinated.

“The last lifting of lockdown allowed students to go back to face to face, it is so important, when we have an asset such as the hub at the BIC, that it is used correctly.

“There is an army of volunteers, they are not getting paid, without them the hub couldn’t happen.

“The vast majority of times it is a well-oiled machine.

“In our determination to get this done we will find occasional setbacks, we must remain focussed.

“The quicker we are able to vaccinate the entire population the faster we will be able to lift all restrictions.

“There is nothing linear in coming out of lockdown, you have to react to the circumstances.”

MP for Bournemouth west, Conor Burns, said: “It is clear, at some point, the ball has been dropped and I would expect that anyone who suddenly received news that all over-18s can be vaccinated would ask why such a departure from the programme was happening in Bournemouth.

“What is important now is that we get the back on track, all the vaccination centres up and running again and to vaccinate those in the vulnerable groups and those invited.

“The other thing, I am awaiting an explanation on what plans are in place to replace the capacity in the BIC when it closes for the cheerleading.”