NHS forced into vaccine U-turn
NHS chiefs in Ayrshire have been forced to perform a U-turn over their vaccine rollout – after falling behind in their schedule.
A total of 38 centres were timetabled to open around the county this month.
But most were not set to open until the middle of February at the earliest.
That came despite a Scottish Government promise to have all 70-79 year-olds vaccinated by then.
When the slow timetable was pointed out by the Post, NHS bosses agreed to rip up their original schedule.
They admitted on Tuesday that the opening of a number of venues would now be “brought forward”.
The likes of Prestwick Community Centre were not set to open their doors until February 16 under the original timetable.
Ayr’s Whitletts Activity Centre was not set to open until February 22, with Maybole Town Hall opening on February 24.
Ayr MSP John Scott, who also pushed health bosses to back down, said the news was “clearly to be welcomed”.
He added: “The nationally-set target is that all 70-79 year olds should expect to receive their first vaccination dose by the middle of February.
“But the pattern of appointments previously published for Ayrshire would have made that impossible locally, with, most appointments for Troon, Prestwick and North Ayr not scheduled until the second half of the month.
“That’s why I raised this with both NHS Ayrshire and Arran and the Scottish Government and it’s why this week’s U-turn is welcome.
“I will continue to closely monitor the rollout to help make sure everyone locally does indeed get a vaccine in line with the promises that have been made.”
NHS Ayrshire & Arran, who removed their original timetable from their website on Monday night, are now in the process of rescheduling when venues open.
It comes as their three main hubs across Ayrshire swung into action on Monday (see below).
NHS Ayrshire & Arran chief executive, John Burns, told the Post: “NHS Ayrshire & Arran is aiming to offer vaccination appointments to all 65 to 79 year olds living in the community by mid-February.
“This means some of the dates already published for venues in the latter weeks of February will be brought forward.
“Clinics will continue to run throughout February and into the Spring as we progress through vaccinations for Ayrshire residents according to the priority groups as advised by the JCVI.”