The Scottish Government has apologised after people eligible for boosters got turned away due to the “necessary protocols” not being in place.
The UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) issued new guidance on Monday recommending all over-18s be offered a booster and cutting the interval between the second and third dose from six months to three.
However, there were reports across the country of eligible individuals over 40 – the first of the younger cohorts to be given the booster – being turned away if they had received their second dose less than six months ago.
Opposition parties rounded on the Scottish Government for leaving the public “confused over mixed messages” regarding their booster eligibility.
It comes a day after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Health Secretary Humza Yousaf urged those who have already booked an appointment for six months after their second jab to move it forward if they can.
Yet NHS advice remains to wait at least six months despite the new JCVI guidance, with health boards telling the public that work is underway to “put the necessary legal documentation in place” to implement the changes.
Following the recent changes to eligibility for 2nd and booster COVID vaccinations, we are working put the necessary legal documentation in place to enable us to implement these changes. Find out more on our dedicated vaccine website (1/2)https://t.co/uGshsRX0cJ
— NHS Grampian (@NHSGrampian) December 1, 2021
On Wednesday, the Scottish Government apologised to individuals turned away and said “instructions have now been issued to all health boards to vaccinate in line with the latest advice”.
Scotland’s National Clinical Director, Jason Leitch, also assured members of the public on social media that booster doses would be given to those who were eligible under the updated guidelines.
You’ll get it.
— Jason Leitch (@jasonleitch) November 30, 2021
The NHS Inform website states adults over 40 are now eligible to receive their booster dose but says those aged 18 to 39 years cannot currently book a third dose.
‘Nothing short of a shambles’
Scottish Labour’s Health and Covid Recovery spokesperson Jackie Baillie said confusion over the booster jab roll-out is “nothing short of a shambles”.
She added: “The need to accelerate our booster programme has never been greater, so we cannot have people being turned away.
“The change to JCVI guidance is clear, and all those eligible should be able to receive their booster as quickly as possible.”
Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Scottish Conservative health spokesman, said the public are “confused over mixed messages” from the Scottish Government on booster eligiblity.
He added: “We are facing an urgent and developing situation that requires immediate action.
“The JCVI changed their advice on the length of time between doses two days ago, but the SNP are dragging their heels on putting this into practice in our NHS.
“No-one that is eligible to get their booster jag under current guidance should be turned away from vaccination clinics.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton claimed people had to be turned away because Mr Yousaf “hasn’t sorted the logistics out”.
He added: “I have been calling for months for the government to put rocket boosters under the booster programme.
“I wish the health secretary had started laying the groundwork then, rather than having to patch things up in a hurry.”
Instructions issued to health boards
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Following JCVI advice, clinical and legal guidance requires to be put in place for vaccination teams to implement the changes.
“This has been progressed urgently and instructions have now issued to all health boards to vaccinate in line with the latest advice.
“The new guidance is also being updated on the NHS Inform website.
“We apologise to those people who have been keen to get their booster vaccination and attended before the necessary protocols were in place.
“Booster appointments are booked in advance via the portal, therefore the vast majority of appointments will not have been affected.”