Patients aged over 80 invited to Forres Health and Care Centre for flu and covid vaccines
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PATIENTS aged over-80-years are being offered flu and covid vaccinations in Forres over the next two Saturdays.
Despite some people initially being sent letters advising of appointments at Elgin Vaccination Centre, this age group has been informed there will be two clinics at Forres Health and Care Centre on September 24 and October 1.
The move follows controversy over patients being required to travel to Elgin to receive their pneumococcal vaccine.
An NHS Grampian spokesperson said: "All patients registered with the practices based at the health centre have been invited.
"Anyone who believes they have been missed and would like to attend these clinics should call 0345 337 9899.
"These are the only outreach clinics currently scheduled for Forres."
A Gazette reader explained her friend aged 87 in Forres had received an appointment letter for a pneumococcal vaccine.
She said: "I asked Forres Health Centre why over-80s are being forced to trek to Elgin Vaccination Centre, an ungodly difficult place to get to by bus. Apparently all adult vaccinations are now no longer GP surgery's responsibility and are being handled by Public Health Scotland/NHS Grampian.
"I asked whether flu jabs in September and October will be at Forres Town Hall again? Nope, another trek to Elgin...
"This is a dereliction of duty to the elderly people of Forres. Many no longer drive so rely on the bus. Edgar Road requires two buses there and two buses back or else patients are forced to ask a friend to drive to and from Elgin."
She added: "Flu and covid booster appointments need to be brought back to Forres for all over-75s!"
The NHS spokesperson confirmed the Autumn/Winter vaccination programme in Grampian will, for the most part, take place in the Fiona Elcock Vaccination Centre in Elgin.
She explained: "We are operating with a smaller team this year; therefore we do not have the same capacity to run multiple community clinics. Inviting people to come to one centre means our team can see as many people as possible and ensure they have the protection they need against both flu and Covid-19."
Anyone facing particular challenges in attending appointments should contact 0345 337 9899 and NHS Grampian will investigate what transport support is available.
