Broken Flu Vaccination Process Must Be Fixed Now
Mark Griffin MSP has received concerns from hundreds of Lanarkshire residents about the shambolic rollout of this year’s flu vaccination. He has called for urgent action from NHS Lanarkshire and the Health Secretary, Jeane Freeman, to fix the broken system.
Some of the most vulnerable people across Lanarkshire, including the elderly and those with serious underlying health conditions, have told of significant challenges accessing the vaccination, with many having not yet received any correspondence, being given very little notice, of being forced to travel far distances.
Mr Griffin said:
“There are major issues with the rollout of the flu vaccine and many vulnerable people have yet to receive any communication. I have asked NHS Lanarkshire and the Scottish Government to address these problems as a matter of urgency.
“I have been inundated with calls and emails from people across our towns and villages who are worried about the process. Some of the most vulnerable, including people with serious underlying health conditions, have yet to be contacted; others have been given less than 24 hours’ notice to attend their appointment and many have been forced to travel long distances. People have also been unable to get through to the telephone helpline.
“Frontline NHS staff are doing a great job and working incredibly long hours to issue to the vaccine, but the system that has been imposed is resulting in many of those at the highest risk of getting seriously if they contract the flu virus being missed. It is imperative that the Health Board and the Scottish Government act now to address these growing problems.”
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