THE NHS has scrapped a confusing letter being used by taxi drivers to wrongfully receive vaccinations.

Brighton and Hove cabbies have been heading to Covid vaccination centres after an NHS letter appeared to state all working drivers were entitled to a jab. But unknown to those drivers, the authorisation letter was only supposed to be sent to drivers contracted by the NHS to take people to and from their vaccination appointments.

The authorisation letter has reportedly been passed to about 2,000 drivers working in Brighton and Hove – as well as many more further afield. Due to the letter’s wording, it is understood that taxi drivers have been using it at the city’s vaccination centres successfully over the past fortnight.

The letter states that “all working drivers should be treated as frontline staff” and can receive the vaccine as long as they were “prepared to continue supporting patients to get to and from their vaccination appointments”.

This was interpreted as meaning that any taxi driver was entitled to a vaccine, as long as they were prepared to take people to the vaccination centres.

However, the NHS confirmed to The Argus that it was only supposed to be used by drivers undertaking contracted NHS work and the health service will now be sending out new instructions to clarify the situation.

A spokeswoman for the NHS said: “Only taxi drivers contracted to provide patient transport services for the vaccination programme are eligible.

“The NHS is putting arrangements in place to ensure these drivers can access a vaccination.”

At the moment, only people aged 60 and over, people who are clinically extremely vulnerable, people who live or work in care homes, or health and social care workers can receive the jab.

Amid the confusion, the GMB Union sent an email out yesterday afternoon which said: “You do not need to specifically do this (vaccination) via any cab company or specifically have anything to do with undertaking NHS contracted work.

“However it is considered that you will possibly be taking people to the vaccination centres etc. All you need to do is download the attached (NHS letter) and print it out.

“Then go to this website (NHS vaccination booking) to book yourself in.”

A spokesman for Streamline Taxis said: “I think it’s been shared by a driver and has gotten out – anything in a taxi company will just move very quickly.

“Streamline has done nothing wrong, the letter doesn’t state that you have to do NHS contract work and it was given to us by a third party who had already been vaccinated with it.”

City Cabs declined a request for comment.

A spokesperson for the Sussex Covid Vaccination Programme said: “Health and care workers, including patient transport providers, who work in direct contact with patients as part of the COVID-19 vaccination programme are eligible for the COVID19 vaccination.

“Across Sussex, a number of taxi firms have been contracted to provide patient transport services for the vaccination programme, transporting vulnerable patients to and from their appointments, in line with strict safety and service standards.

“These drivers are eligible for immunisation and their arrangements for receiving the vaccine are being made through the contracted taxi firms.

“Transport workers in general are not currently eligible for the vaccine.

“Renewed proof of eligibility is currently being provided to the specific taxi firms and drivers who are supporting patient transport for the vaccination programme, and these are in the process of being issued.

“If you are unsure if you are eligible for vaccination, please contact your employer.

“Please do not book a vaccination appointment if you are not eligible as you will be turned away when you arrive at the vaccination site.”