Flu jab chaos is ‘national scandal’ says top Tory

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has claimed the administering of the flu vaccine across Scotland is becoming a “national scandal”.

Hundreds of vulnerable north- east people were turned away after travelling for flu jabs last week due to what NHS Grampian said were “logistical problems” associated with the transportation of the vaccine.

More than 300 people in Aberdeenshire, including elderly and “at risk” patients, were sent home without treatment after travelling to Meldrum Academy in Oldmeldrum.

Would-be patients have also shared their frustrations over letters arriving too late for people to make appointments and a seemingly forever-engaged phone line.

Mr Ross said: “The situation up and down Scotland relating to the administering of the flu vaccine is fast becoming a national scandal.

“The SNP’s failure to address issues early in the process is causing chaos and fear across Scotland as we head towards winter.

“Our most vulnerable are continuing to be frozen out by the sheer mismanagement shown by the SNP on this matter towards our NHS staff and services they provide.

“Fr o m the forever engaged flu line to having no stock – the situation is a shambles and a disgrace.

“My sympathies go out to patients and the NHS staff who are facing the brunt of the SNPs mismanagement.

“These endless problems are causing distress and alarm across Scotland and must be addressed with the utmost urgency as another challenging period approaches.”

This is the first year when Scotland’s 14 health boards have been handed responsibility for delivering the programme instead of GP practices.

The first minister has herself addressed concerns over the rollout, maintaining her government is working with health boards.

She said: “The absolute priority, which everybody takes very seriously, is to get everybody who is eligible vaccinated as quickly as possible.”

More than 26,000 people in the NHS Grampian region have received their flu vaccination since September 28.

The health board has apologised to those who have had problems with their appointment letters or been left unable to contact its helpline – but said efforts were now well under way to work through a backlog of calls.

While flu vaccine clinics are being held in schools during the October school holidays, there will be further clinics into mid-December to ensure all priority groups are covered, with letters for these appointments posted in the next three weeks.

An NHS Grampian spokesman said: “Unfortunately a number of patient vaccinations were postponed on Friday due to logistical problems with the transportation of the vaccine.

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

A Scottish Government spokesman added: “The seasonal flu vaccine is vitally important this year to protect the most vulnerable and support the NHS, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is the largest flu vaccination programme ever offered in Scotland and it is happening in the middle of a pandemic.

“Whilst this brings challenges, we have procured enough vaccine to vaccinate all those who are eligible, modelled on a demand of 2.4 million people.

“We are aware of the unprecedented volume of calls received by health boards and we are working with them to ensure all calls are being actioned.”

SHARP SHOCK: Hundreds of north-east people who checked in for flu jabs were sent home because of ‘logistical problems’.