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MSP voices Moray Covid vaccine rollout concerns


By Alan Beresford

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FEARS have been voiced over the speed of Covid vaccination rollout in Moray.

Councillor Tim Eagle (left) and Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP: Moray Covid jab concerns.
Councillor Tim Eagle (left) and Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP: Moray Covid jab concerns.

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has written to Health Secretary Jeane Freeman and the chief executive of NHS Grampian seeking assurances about the speed of the vaccination roll-out in Moray.

The Scottish Conservative MSP said that he had been contacted by constituents over the age of 60 in Moray who had not been called for a jag, despite an announcement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that appointments for people aged 50-59 were now being rolled out.

He said: “There is considerable concern in Moray that some people are being left behind.

“One person who contacted me, aged over 60 and with an underlying health condition, has still heard nothing despite filling in an online enquiry form.

“Others are unclear whether they should await contact from the NHS or pursue a booking themselves.

“People here need to be reassured and that is why I have raised this as a matter of urgency with the Health Secretary and with NHS Grampian.”

Mr Halcro Johnston’s concerns are being echoed by Buckie councillor, Tim Eagle, who confirmed that he had also been contacted by local people, worried that they had not heard about appointments.

“Everyone’s priority is to see vulnerable members of our community protected from the virus," he continued.

“Our NHS teams and volunteers are working flat out, which is why it is disappointing if there is uncertainty about the progress of the vaccination programme and when people, who might have expected an appointment, to actually receive one.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said that while there had been a slowdown "good progress" was being made.

She continued: "We will respond to Mr Halcro-Johnston directly but we want to take this opportunity to reassure everyone in Moray – and the wider Grampian region – that we continue to make good progress in the vaccination programme.

"The well-publicised slowdown in vaccine supply has reduced activity, but we are working through the priority groups in line with other parts of the country.

"Appointments are now on their way to those aged 60-64 and we will soon start issuing appointments for those aged 55-59. Anyone aged 65 or over – or aged 16-64 with an underlying health condition which puts them at increased risk – who has not yet been vaccinated or received their appointment should complete the form available on NHS Inform or call the national helpline on 0800 030 8013.

"If they have already completed a form, we would ask them to bear with us as we deal with enquiries.

"NHS Grampian provides a weekly update to all elected members detailing progress to date, upcoming plans for vaccination and have included details of how individuals who think they have missed an appointment can register since mid-February."

Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead praised the NHS for "working hard" on the vaccine rollout and urged elected representatives to seek "clarity" before making claims on the timetable for Covid jabs.

He said: “The authorities and NHS staff are working hard to issue letters of invitation for vaccination and not all health boards are always going to work at exactly the same pace due to the age profile of the local population and logistics given geographical differences.

“I have contacted the NHS seeking clarity on the timetable for Moray and Grampian as a number of constituents have contacted me on this matter. I’d urge all elected representatives to do the same before making public claims about Moray being left behind as this may cause anxiety if local people think they have been left out.”



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