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Aberdeenshire MSP Alexander Burnett calls for vaccination centre to be reinstated in Westhill over concerns elderly residents are missing out on second booster


By Kirsty Brown

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MSP Alexander Burnett has written to NHS Grampian calling on the health board to reinstate a vaccination centre in Westhill over concerns that elderly residents are missing out on their second booster.

The MSP for Aberdeenshire West has said those in the town aged over-75 are facing a 30-mile round trip to get their top-up jab.

The second booster is being offered to all over-75s, those aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed and residents in care homes for older people around six months after their last dose.

Mr Burnett has voiced concerns that a large proportion are missing out on their jab because they can’t get to a vaccination centre.

In a letter to NHS Grampian, he suggested areas such as Ashdale Hall, Trinity Church, Westhill Scout Hut and the Holiday Inn as suitable locations for a vaccination facility.

The health board, however, said it wasn’t possible to reinstate a centre in Westhill due to the “scale and geographical challenges” associated with the area.

West Aberdeenshire MSP Alexander Burnett.
West Aberdeenshire MSP Alexander Burnett.

Commenting Mr Burnett said: “We know the virus is still circulating yet the elderly in places like Westhill are missing out on their jab as there is no vaccination centre locally in the town.

“The Spring booster offers additional protection to those most at risk of severe illness from Covid.

“Therefore, it’s completely unacceptable to expect people who are over-75 to take a bus into Aberdeen for their jab when there should be a vaccination centre available to them in a place the size of Westhill.

“Vaccinations have undoubtedly made a huge difference but the uptake of this booster should be far higher.

“This is why it’s vital that the elderly have easy access to a vaccination centre and opening a facility at one of the places I have suggested to NHS Grampian would help solve this issue.”

In her response, Chief Executive Caroline Hiscox said: “We try to accommodate as many citizens as close to their home as possible. Unfortunately given the scale and geographic challenges in Aberdeenshire this is not always possible.

“There was a spring booster vaccination clinic held in Westhill Academy at the start of April and 320 people over the age of 75 years attended.

“Due to the added complexity of time between boosters this means that not all people over the age of 75 years in the area would have been eligible for a booster at the same time.”


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