FEARS have been raised that the elderly across the North East could miss out on their winter flu and Covid jabs after eligible patients are being offered appointments requiring a 120-mile round trip for their vaccination.
Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross has written to NHS Grampian after being contacted by residents in Balmedie who received an appointment for their winter flu and Covid vaccine in Montrose.
The appointment would involve a two-hour round trip from their home, despite appointments being available at their nearest GP practice in Ellon – just 10 miles away.
This winter, both Covid and flu jabs will be offered to all adults over the age of 65, residents and staff in care homes, people who are in a clinical at-risk group including those who are pregnant, and frontline health and social care workers.
In her letter to NHS Grampian interim chief executive Adam Coldwells, Ms Cross called on a review to be conducted to ensure elderly residents are not needlessly forced to travel long distances for their vaccines when closer appointments are available.
She also wants alternative locations offered to patients who are unable to attend an appointment at a centre not local to them.
Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan, Harriet Cross, said: “It’s completely unacceptable for elderly residents to be told they must travel 60 miles for their flu and Covid jabs, when appointments are available just 10 miles away.
“I fear wrongful and apparently thoughtless messaging like this, particularly for our more vulnerable or less mobile residents, will put people off from getting their vaccinations and will ultimately leave them at risk this winter.
“For vulnerable groups such as the elderly, having both vaccines is essential for protecting themselves and others this winter and with Covid still present, it’s more important than ever that they get the jab.”
In her letter, Ms Cross said: “I have been contacted by a constituent who has received an appointment for his winter flu and Covid vaccine in Montrose, despite living in Balmedie.
“Thankfully, my constituent has now been able to rearrange this appointment to take place in Ellon, but I would like to understand how such an appointment could have originally been arranged and what steps are being taken to ensure that patients are given appointments at their nearest (or at least a nearby) clinic.”
The MP added: “I fear this may also have happened to other constituents eligible for the vaccines, many of whom are elderly and simply unable to travel long distances to get to vaccine appointments or do not have the ability to rearrange their appointment.
“If appointments are not arranged as locally as possible, I believe many of my constituents may be unable to make their appointment and therefore not receive their vital winter flu vaccine.”
