Flu jab fury as hundreds turned away

NHS apology as vaccine confusion continues

FEARS have been raised about the north- east’s supply of flu vaccines after vulnerable pensioners were turned away from appointments yesterday.

Patients scheduled for injections at Meldrum Academy went without after “logistical problems” from NHS Grampian.

More than 300 people from the Oldmeldrum area had their jabs cancelled, with some left stunned having arrived at the empty school to be told there were no vaccines.

Last night North East

Conservative MSP Liam Kerr said: “I know the people on the front line are doing the best they can in difficult circumstances, but there is clearly an issue with the supply in the background.

“People being turned away like this is unacceptable.”

The process of inoculating thousands in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray has so far been plagued with issues in this first year of health boards being responsible for the work.

Scores have complained of receiving their appointment cards either too late to make it to the venue or days after the event.

This has been paired with trouble on the phones to rearrange their vaccinations.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday said the government would be discussing the trouble with NHS Grampian bosses.

The health board’s deputy chief executive Adam Coldwells last night said: “I would really like to say a heartfelt sorry, and apologise to all the people who have been distressed and inconvenienced as a result of the issues with the letters and the phone follow-up.”

More than 26,000 people have so far received their injection.

Hundreds o f vulnerable northeast people were turned away after travelling for flu jabs this week – as outrage continues over the handling of vaccinations across Grampian this year.

Would-be patients were told on Thursday their appointments had been cancelled without notice due to what the NHS yesterday described as “logistical problems”.

It emerged the Aberdeenshire site they attended had been unable to secure the stocks needed for that day’s vaccinations.

The latest revelation sparked fears over stocks, on top of frustrations over letters arriving too late for people to make appointments and a seemingly forever-engaged flu phone line.

In a statement yesterday from NHS Grampian deputy chief executive Adam Coldwells, the health board “apologised again” for problems with letters and calls.

But asked if NHS Grampian would utilise new rules that allow it to work with community pharmacies to distribute flu vaccines – potentially reducing the backlog – a spokesman said there were “no plans or talks”.

This week it emerged more than 300 people in Aberdeenshire, including elderly and “at risk” patients, were sent home without receiving treatment after travelling to Me l d r u m Academy in Oldmeldrum.

Stunned residents were told no vaccines had arrived at the venue – an experience branded “unacceptable” by North East Conservative MSP Liam Kerr.

Mr Kerr said: “I know the people on the front line are doing the best they can in difficult circumstances, but there is clearly an issue with the supply in the background.”

NHS Grampian’s spokesman said patient vaccinations were “postponed due to logistical problems with the transportation of the vaccine”.

He added: “We wish to assure all patients affected they will be recalled and will receive their flu vaccination.”

It is understood Meldrum Academy was the only venue affected by the problem.

The health board has admitted “teething problems” in a system “overwhelmed” by the numbers calling and emailing to rearrange appointments.

More than 26,000 people across Grampian have received their jab, but in Aberdeen alone more than 200,000 people are eligible for one this year.

Mr Coldwells accepted some people had been “messed about”, adding: “I would really like to say a heartfelt sorry and apologise to all the people who have been distressed and inconvenienced as a result of the issues with the letters and the phone follow-up.”

He said additional resources had been brought in to clear the backlog of calls and emails about missed appointments.

Health boards have taken responsibility for delivering flu vaccinations this year for the first time.

In Grampian that change has been paired with steering patients away from the traditional GP surgery setting for the inoculation to free up doctors for other work.

Community venues are instead being used, with NHS Grampian looking to use schools through the October break, with other vaccinations to come as late as mid-December.

Mr Kerr said his office had been “swamped” with queries about jammed phone lines, late appointment letters, and worries over vaccine stocks in recent days.

He added: “There is considerable concern about respiratory illness and Covid19 which must be addressed.

“It’s not just the public who are worried about winter flu — Scottish Care said vaccine rollout has been poorly managed and patchy.”

At yesterday’s coronavirus briefing, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We will be discussing with NHS Grampian any implications of late delivery of letters and asking NHS Grampian about the plans they are putting in place to mitigate against that.”

Royal Mail said it was “working closely with NHS Grampian” to ensure the risk of further issues with appointment letters is minimised.

Fur ther north, NHS Highland continues to provide the vaccine through GP surgeries and public health medicine consultant Dr Ken Oates said delivery was “going well”.

The NHS has performed miracles this year adapting to a previously unknown and frighteningly unpredictable threat. Somehow though it finds itself once again struggling to handle the most basic aspects of dealing with a very familiar one.

Of course the switch in responsibility for flu jabs from GPs to health boards was always likely to have teething troubles.

More vulnerable groups than previously are eligible for a free jab and the need to deliver the vaccines in a socially-distant way adds further complexity.

But as we brace for a double winter whammy of Covid-19 and regular flu, the imperative to maximise take-up rates has never been stronger.

NHS Grampian has rightly apologised for the logistical and communications failures which have left so many patients confused and upset.

Now it must set out exactly what urgent action it plans to take to get things back on track very quickly.

One solution could be a bigger role for community pharmacies – and it seems strange that option is apparently not being fully explored.

CHANGE: Health boards have taken responsibility for delivering flu vaccinations this year for the first time.

Meldrum Academy was the only venue affected.