Flu vaccine appointments system a shambles

On Sunday my husband attended his ‘flu vaccination appointment in Musselburgh. We live in Fairmilehead. Although older than him – we’re both in our late seventies – I have not yet received my appointment. I know of other couples where one had received an appointment and the other had not, but both attended in hope of receiving a vaccination, and both were vaccinated.

However, I was turned away as there was not enough vaccine, which is understandable. We were told that nine out of ten couples had received separate appointments! This is unbelievable in times when we are trying to limit car use. We will have to make a further trip, probably around the City bypass again. We are fit and able, with a car, but not all older people are. It has been known for months that the ‘flu vaccination programme would be rolled out in the autumn, but that does not seem to have been enough time to put systems in place so that two people with the same surname, living at the same address, could be given appointments together, as was the case with the Covid-19 vaccinations.

It has also been known for months that venues previously used were no longer available as they were being used as Covid test centres, such as Napier Campus, Craiglockhart, where people from this area attended last year.

It seems illogical that elderly Edinburgh residents should be asked to travel to Musselburgh, Gorebridge, East Calder, Queensferry or Ingliston, none of these easily accessible by direct public transport, while those living outside Edinburgh seem to be coming into the city for their vaccination.

Can anyone explain the reasoning behind this way of treating elderly people and disregarding the impact on the environment?

ISABEL GRAHAM

Edinburgh