Frustrated Fifers in a fix when it comes to Covid jabs

FIFERS missed off the Scottish Government’s priority Covid vaccine list have been left “frustrated” as they scramble to get back in the queue for their jabs.

One St Andrews mum, who is undergoing cancer treatment, is one of several vulnerable Fifers battling to get an appointment.

She fears she may catch Covid from her children who are now back at school and says she has been abandoned by the system.

Gordon Blain, 70, from Newburgh is in a similar situation. He should have had an appointment in February when many over-70s were vaccinated but received no letter and spent weeks trying to sort it out.

Scotland’s NHS has delivered more than two million Covid jabs and all adults are likely to have had a first one by late July.

The rollout began with over-80s in early January.

The over-50s are now receiving their invitations.

The St Andrews mum, who asked not to be named, and Mr Blain both faced “extreme difficulties” with the system.

“Despite contacting the vaccine helpline, the shielding helpline, my GP, completing the NHS online form and contacting the NHS Fife helpline and everyone else I can reach, I have been sent round in circles and still cannot get an appointment,” the woman said.

She added: “My children have returned to school and so, along with many other vulnerable people who have not yet been vaccinated, I have to make a decision on whether to isolate from my own children.”

Meanwhile, Mr Blain finally received an appointment but said his letter arrived six weeks later than it should have.

“They should be desperately reaching out to me, not the other way around,” he said.

Both Mr Blain and the St Andrews mum contacted North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie for help.

He said many other frustrated constituents were in the same boat and called for an immediate fix.

The Scottish Government said it exceeded its targets for vaccinating the over-70s by mid-February.