Health board sorry as elderly residents wait for second vaccine

NHS Tayside has apologised after several elderly Perthshire residents said they were still awaiting their second Covid-19 vaccine well over 12 weeks after receiving their first dose.

As restrictions eased further on May 17 they continue to feel isolated and nervous about meeting others until they have had their full vaccination dose.

One Perth 80-year-old is still awaiting her second vaccine more than18 weeks since she received her first jag on January 7.

The UK recommendation – from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation – is for people to be given the second dose within 12 weeks of the first dose.

Georgina Sharp received her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine when she was staying in Parkdale Nursing Home in Auchterarder on January 7.

Just over a week later, she moved to an address in Perth and – more than four months later – is still awaiting word of when she will receive her second dose.

Concerned daughter Karen Richardson said: “Time is marching on and she needs this done ASAP.”

It is understood the nursing home emailed Georgina’s GP surgery in Perth saying she needed a second dose.

When Karen and her mum still had not heard anything by April 16, Karen phoned the surgery and was told they were only doing the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Karen was advised to complete the missing appointment form online.

After filling in the form on the online portal on April 16, Karen still had not received a response a whole month later.

It is now over 18 weeks since her 80-year-old mum received her first dose of the vaccine. And she is not alone.

An 86-year-old lady who received her first vaccine at her Perthshire home more than14 weeks ago has still not had her second dose.

Her daughter – who does not want to be named – told the local democracy reporting service she has tried every avenue possible to arrange a second vaccine but got nowhere.

She told the LDRS she has heard of several other local elderly residents who have passed the 12-week window and described the situation as “frustrating” and “very worrying”.

She said: “With restrictions lifting on Monday to allow people to meet indoors, poor mum will still be isolated having not had her full protection from the virus.

“So much for prioritising the elderly.”

NHS Tayside has apologised for the delay.

A spokesperson said: “The NHS Tayside vaccination programme has now vaccinated over 234,000 people with their first vaccination and over 140,000 with their second dose.

“There are systems in place to ensure those discharged or admitted to care homes are picked up to receive their second dose so we apologise to anyone who has not been contacted.

“We are aware that some people have not answered their phones to calls from our numbers or have missed calls and the vaccination team continues to review lists to ensure all those due for their second dose are vaccinated as soon as possible.

“Anyone who received their first dose 11 weeks or more ago and has not received a call for their second appointment should either phone the vaccination team on 01382 423108 or email tay.c19vaxlocalenquiries@nhs.scot.

“There is also a national missed invitation online portal at https://invitations.vacs.nhs.scot/ where people can request an appointment through the national team.”

Story by local democracy reporter Kathryn Anderson