City health board ‘working hard’ to meet jab demand

GLASGOW’S health board is “working hard” to ensure all of the city’s pensioners are vaccinated before the end of the month.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde promised to send appointment letters to those over the age of 65 in a bid to speed up the flu jab programme after a campaign by the Glasgow Times – Give Our OAPs a Shot – shone a light on the problems with the roll-out.

When quizzed about its target to complete its vaccinations by the end of the month, the board said it was doing its best to make progress.

A spokeswoman said: “We are sorry the flu programme this year has been difficult for some members of the public in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area and we wish to sincerely apologise for this situation.

“Letters have been sent to everyone in the 65-plus age group, inviting them to attend appointment for the flu vaccination before the end of November.

“The team is working hard to ensure that everyone in the 65-plus age group who wishes to receive their vaccination but is yet to attend their appointment is supported to do so in advance of the start of the flu season in December.”

She added: “We have been working hard to address concerns as a matter of urgency to improve this year’s flu programme.

“We have increased capacity at several of our vaccination centres in order to ensure those in the 75-plus age group are vaccinated sooner.

“We have also increased the number of call handlers to help members of the public change the timing or location of their appointment to ensure we needs.

“We would like to thank the Glasgow Times for their continued dedication to this issue.” The health board reiterated its commitment to “learning the lessons” from this year’s errors. It said it will listen to feedback and make the appropriate changes ahead of winter next year.

The spokeswoman said: “This year there have been a number of changes to the way in which the annual flu programme is delivered to cope with the need for physical distancing.

“This is coupled with the number of people eligible for the flu vaccine increasing by nearly 50%.

“We continue to improve this year’s flu programme and will ensure all lessons will be learned and then applied to future vaccination programmes, including a potential Covid-19 vaccine and next year’s flu programme.” can meet their