More than 76,000 pensioners in Mid-Scotland and Fife will not get a new improved flu jab, available in England, thanks to a delay by the Scottish Government.
Last October, health experts recommended that over 65s should be given a new upgraded flu jab, called Fluad, which boosts the immune system as well as protecting against flu. Whilst it costs more, the UK-wide Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation concluded it saves money in the long run by reducing hospital admissions.
In England, all over 65s will be eligible for the jab. However, health bosses north of the border did not order Fluad until March this year, meaning there are only enough supplies to offer it to the over 75s in Scotland.
For Mid-Scotland and Fife, this means an estimated 76,897 people between the age of 65 and 74, will not be getting a flu jab which would be available to them if they lived in England.
Commenting, Liz Smith MSP said:
“The Scottish Government have repeatedly mismanaged winter pressures on our hospitals and this mistake, before the season has even started, does not bode well.
“Older people in Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire will be concerned that they are not receiving the same flu vaccine as their counterparts in England.
“A cut price and less effective flu jab is the last thing we need in the run up to the winter months. And by failing to put their order in, on time, more than 76,000 pensioners in Mid-Scotland and Fife are not as well protected they could have been.”