Jab letters give venue and time . . . but no date
A HEALTH board has apologised after sending people letters confirming Covid-19 booster vaccination appointments with one key piece of information missing – the date.
Hywel Dda University Health Board started issuing letters to residents last week, offering them the opportunity to attend a vaccination centre to receive their third (or booster) jab.
Many people have complained, however, that their letters contained a venue for the vaccination, and a time of day, but not the day itself.
One woman posted on social media that she was “chuffed” to get her letter on Friday, only to read it and realise there was no date on it.
She said she was “anxious and concerned that she might now miss her appointment” and asked the heath board: “Who is responsible for this incompetence? What a mess.”
Others complained that the phone number for queries printed on the letter was not working as people inundated the helpline with calls to try to confirm when their booster appointment was pencilled in for.
One woman who received a letter asked: “How many got sent out with the same time but no date I wonder? Seems like they really do not know what they are doing. Nobody answers the phones and two days later still no reply to emails.”
Another woman said she tried to call the helpline after receiving a letter with no date included but was “cut off due to the high volume of calls” before adding “no wonder people lose their rag!”
The frustration felt by many is amplified by the fact that Hywel Dda last week cancelled booster jab walkin sessions on safety grounds after hundreds of people queued for hours to receive their vaccinations.
Questions were put to Hywel Dda University Health Board on Monday morning about the circumstances surrounding the error on the booster jab letters, and how many in total had been sent out. They have not commented specifically as yet but have apologised for the mishap.
A spokesman for the health board said: “We are aware some appointment letters have arrived with some information missing. We have been informed by the appointments team that these are being reissued and will arrive early this week in time for your appointment. Please accept our apologies for any confusion.”