Murdo Fraser MSP has raised concerns over the “confusing” roll-out of the autumn Covid vaccine by NHS Tayside and the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Conservative politician has been contacted by elderly constituents who have not received notification of when they will receive the jag and are anxious due to a reported rise in cases of another Covid variant, known as Pirola. It is understood that this new strain of the virus has 34 more mutations, which may make it easier to evade vaccines.
As a result, Mr Fraser wrote to NHS Tayside to raise his concerns, and the health body have responded, saying that the “complex” vaccine process has caused “some confusion and uncertainty” by having to bring some of the appointments forward.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “I am concerned that some elderly constituents have not yet been notified of when they will get their next Covid vaccine, especially with news of this new variant. I was contacted by a resident who is very alarmed and anxious that she and her husband have had no word at all from NHS Tayside as to when they can book the Covid autumn vaccine, yet their son, who is aged in his 50s, already had his. I have heard of other similar stories across the region, so it is not reassuring at all to have such anomalies with such an important health issue.
“In their response to my letter, NHS Tayside concede that having to restructure the ‘already complex’ vaccine process at such a late stage has led to some confusion and uncertainty and have promised to address the concerns of my constituents. While I appreciate organising the roll-out of the latest Covid vaccine must pose some problems, it appears to have caused unnecessary confusion for many residents, particularly elderly people, who are understandably anxious to hear news of when they will get this jag.”
Mr Fraser continued: “NHS Tayside have confirmed that the original planned phasing of this year's winter vaccination campaign was based on JCVI advice to vaccinate the most elderly and most vulnerable citizens from the end of October through to December. However, the health body go on to state that due to concerns about the new variant, the Scottish Government instructed health boards to bring forward invitations for vaccination to the most elderly and most vulnerable citizens into September and October, but without cancelling or rescheduling any existing appointment commitments.
“NHS Tayside have told me that invitations to get the vaccine are being issued in Tayside to people aged 75 and older, and that letters should arrive this week for appointments starting the week of 16 October. Rest assured I will be keeping a close eye on this as it is vital that our elderly and most vulnerable residents are vaccinated as soon as possible.”
