Enough flu shots for all in Scotland, says Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon has given a guarantee people across Scotland needing flu vaccinations will receive them without further delay after facing questions on waiting times for the vaccines.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw raised the issue at First Minister’s Questions yesterday.
He gave the example of an 85-year-old woman who had not yet been given a date for her vaccination and pressed the First Minister to confirm all over-75s would be vaccinated by the end of the month.
He said: “We’re also being informed by GP clinics that many patients are having to wait potentially now until next month when the winter flu season will take hold.
“I remind the chamber that in Scotland you actually have to be over-75 to get the new ATIV vaccine this winter, not 65 as elsewhere in the UK.
“So how can it be acceptable that even under this Scottish Government’s regime of restricted access, it is being delayed to elderly patients who need it now?”
The SNP leader said she would give that reassurance, adding the Scottish Government was not restricting access to flu vaccinations and every year local supply issues arose which were quickly dealt with. “It is not the case that there are large numbers of patients waiting for the vaccine,” she said.
0 Nicola Sturgeon pledged that people needing flu vaccinations will receive them without further delay