NHS Grampian apology after second flu-jab appointment letters sent out to number of people in Moray
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A NUMBER of Moray residents have received NHS Grampian appointment letters for the winter flu jab this week – despite having had the vaccination a fortnight earlier under the scheme.
The duplication follows previous problems with the flu jab roll-out last month, when Moray residents were sent letters for appointment dates that had already passed. They complained of "confusion" surrounding when and where they would receive the vaccination.
Health boards have been handed the responsibility this year for organising and administering flu jabs, rather than GPs.
Moray Scottish Conservative MP Douglas Ross has again contacted NHS Grampian's chief executive amid the ongoing problems with the vaccination roll-out, describing the process as a "shambles".
He said the problems experienced in supplying doses to the public "do not bode well" for the mass Covid-19 vaccination operation expected to be carried out next year.
NHS Grampian has apologised over the latest "isolated incidents".
Mr Ross said: "The roll-out of the winter flu jab across Scotland this year has been a shambles.
"Here in Moray, we have suffered a series of problems.
"First, people received letters for appointment dates that had already past. Now they are being offered appointments two weeks after being vaccinated.
"It is alarming that such mistakes are still being made when we should be in the final stages of this year’s programme."
He added: "I have to say it does not bode well for next year, when we hope there will be a national roll-out of a Covid-19 vaccine.
"That will be an enormous logistical operation and a huge challenge for our health service.
"The catalogue of problems experienced during this year’s flu jab programme must be ironed out before then so there is no repeat of this in future."
An NHS Grampian spokesperson said today: "We are aware of some isolated incidents where people, who have already received their flu vaccination, were sent a second appointment.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
"More than 100,000 people across Grampian have already received their flu jab this year.
"The feedback from our new flu clinics has been incredibly positive. This is testament to the very hard work of an extremely dedicated team and we want to thank them for their efforts."
