‘LOTTERY’ OF BOOSTER JABS
Yousaf criticised over delays in some parts of the country
VULNERABLE Scots are facing another ‘postcode lottery’ on Covid booster jabs, it has been claimed.
Concerns have been raised about people in some parts of the country facing much longer waits for the third vaccine dose than others.
Similar problems were reported during the earlier stage of the jabs drive.
It comes as Health Secretary Humza Yousaf faced criticism for claiming that the booster programme was ‘on track’, although appointments are only being confirmed for some groups two months later than was originally planned.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: ‘The SNP risk repeating the mistakes they made in the initial vaccine rollout. There is a real threat that a postcode lottery is determining when elderly and vulnerable people get their booster jags. That’s unacceptable.
‘Where someone lives should have no bearing on when they get this vital added protection.
‘It’s crucial that the SNP speed up the booster programme as quickly as possible. Humza Yousaf must again utilise our UK Armed Forces to guarantee delivery ahead of the peak winter period.’
Ministers announced yesterday that Scots aged 60-69 would finally start to receive invitations for their flu and Covid-19 booster vaccinations through the post this week.
Appointments for this group will take place at local community clinics and will run from late this month and throughout November.
Though Mr Yousaf maintained that the programme is ‘on track’, opponents said the appointments are much later than originally planned.
People in the 50-59 age group are now being told a booking portal will be available only from mid-November. It was initially supposed to launch in October.
The Scottish Government also now says the vaccinations will ‘start from mid-November and run through December and early January’.
But this opens up the prospect of people in this age group not getting their booster and flu vaccines before the onset of winter.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: ‘I can only imagine Humza Yousaf’s persistent lateness must be a consistent pain to others. I’m getting a barrage of complaints from older constituents who are warning that they are either unable to receive the flu vaccine at the same time as their booster jab or are being sent hours away by public transport.
‘We should be treating these booster jabs with the same importance as we treated the first round of jabs.
‘That means walk-in centres and a joined-up approach to the winter flu programme.’
A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: ‘Humza Yousaf seems to be in his own wee fantasy land if he thinks the Covid booster jag rollout is such a roaring success.
‘It looks like he’s burying his head
in the sand and desperately hoping that it will all be OK if he just insists often enough it is going well.’
Only the 1,135,000 people in the top four priority groups – includsaid
‘Barrage of complaints’
ing anyone over 70, those who were shielding and frontline health and care workers – will get their booster dose by the middle of next month under the Scottish Government’s plans. Mr Yousaf on Sunday the 2,240,000 people in the other five groups identified as key priorities – including anyone aged 50-69 and working age people with underlying health conditions – will only be offered the booster ‘over the course of the months there-after and by early next year’.
He said: ‘For those eligible for the Covid-19 boosters, appointments can only take place six months after your second dose.
‘As such, it may take several weeks before you receive your invitation letter.
‘We remain on track with Scotland’s booster programme prioritising those at the highest risk for both Covid-19 and flu.’
He added: ‘In addition to delivering the Covid-19 vaccine boosters, this year we are offering a record number of free flu vaccines to help protect the people of Scotland.
‘It is the biggest-ever flu vaccination programme in Scotland, reaching over four million people.
‘Appointments for both vaccines are being scheduled based on clinical need and age and it will take until the middle of January for everyone to be offered their vaccines.’