HEALTH boards are being urged to act as Age Scotland raises serious concerns about the provision of the winter flu vaccine.
The charity says “more and more” Scots struggle to book vaccinations despite a Scottish Government uptake drive amidst Covid-19 risks.
More people than ever will be offered the vaccination this year as health leaders seek to protect the population from the additional risk posed by coronavirus – and stop services being over-run with unwell patients.
Dr Nicola Steedman, the deputy chief medical officer, has urged all eligible Scots to “please” take it up as the NHS braces for the impact of winter.
Doses are delivered via regional health boards to groups at an elevated illness risk, including people with underlying health conditions, health and social care workers, pregnant women, young children and those aged 55 and over.
But Age Scotland says it has been inundated with calls from older Scots “struggling” to book their jabs in the face of strong demand.
And patients from at-risk groups have told the Sunday National how they were instructed that they wouldn’t get the protection – in contravention of national guidance.
The Scottish Government says NHS boards must act fast to find a remedy.
One man, aged 63, told how his surgery said he was “too young” to get the jag. And a mother-of-two, who has taken the vaccine for more than a decade due to underlying heart problems, revealed she was told she was “not on the list”.
Both attend separate village practices within the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board (NHSGGC) area – where Covid-19 cases are at the highest level in Scotland.
The board covers the most populous part of the country and cases here have been higher over the course of the outbreak, rising by 1617 in the week to Friday. That’s almost as twice as many new cases as in the NHS Lothian area, where 877 new positive diagnoses were given.
As cases rise across the country, so too do attempts by members of the public to organise flu jags, which will be given from this month, with priority cases seen first.
But Age Scotland told this newspaper many older Scots are struggling to book jags. Its chief executive Brian Sloan said: “It is extremely concerning to hear of anyone being refused a flu jab due to lack of supply despite being eligible, especially as we approach a winter surrounded by the additional risk of Covid-19.”
He went on: “Our helpline has been hearing from more and more older people struggling to book their vaccination due to incredibly busy phone lines to the advertised central numbers or their GP.
“We have passed this feedback on to Public Health Scotland, who have reported our concerns directly to the Scottish Government in the hope that this issue can be resolved as a matter of urgency.
“It’s vital that people aren’t put off, and every effort should be made to boost capacity on the booking lines at such a critical time to ensure no one who is eligible misses out.”
In order to vaccinate more people safely, walk-in or drive-through centres have been set up in many areas within town halls and community hubs, with GPs still playing a key role.
In a briefing last week, Steedman highlighted two studies showing the potential dangers of contracting both flu and coronavirus together, urging: “Please, if you or any of your loved ones are eligible, take up the offer of a flu vaccination this year. I’m speaking to everyone who is eligible.”
But in Renfrewshire, one man said: “What’s the point of what the Government is doing and saying if the people who are meant to deliver this to the public are telling people they don’t qualify? We won’t have been the only people to get a call like this.”
NHSGGC says it is responsible for the delivery of the vaccines but GP practices’ vaccine supply for 18 to 64-year-olds is handled through national procurement.
The Scottish Government said: “The seasonal flu vaccine will be vitally important this year to protect the most vulnerable and support the NHS in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. NHS boards are responsible for delivering the vaccine and we are working with them to ensure that everyone who is eligible for the flu vaccine can receive it.”
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