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THE Scottish Government’s vaccine rollout was branded a shambles after it emerged under-80s will receive mail invites from tomorrow — despite older folk still waiting to book their jabs.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman revealed Scots aged 70 to 79 will be sent the distinctive blue envelopes by priority Royal Mail offering them the jags.
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But older OAPs have been left furious by the move amid claims they are struggling to book their appointments.
John Rankine, 86, from near Falkirk, yesterday told The Scottish Sun on Sunday he “hasn’t heard a thing” about his own invite while claiming health board officials had directed him to three separate helplines — with no one able to assist.
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He said: “They’re putting letters out to over-70s and there are ones that are over-80 who haven’t had it. It’s a bit of a shambles.”
Ministers insist they are on track to administer first doses of vaccine to all over-80s by February 5.
NHS Forth Valley, which covers Mr Rankine’s area, yesterday said a “rolling programme” to invite over-80s for vaccinations is ongoing.
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The nationwide rollout is set to be ramped up from tomorrow with some health boards sending out the letter invites to over-70s.
Ms Freeman said: “We all know how easy it is to ignore some of the mail which comes through our letterboxes but these blue envelopes will be very distinctive and they will contain details of your vaccine appointment so please open them.
“The letters are being posted first class and we have been advised by the Royal Mail that the colour will allow them to prioritise delivery.
“The blue envelopes will contain information about the time and place of your appointment and details on how to reschedule it if you are unable to attend.
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“I would urge everyone to take up their appointment when they are offered one.”
It came as the latest vaccination figures in Scotland yesterday revealed 380,667 first doses have been administered so far while 5,188 Scots have also received their second inoculation.
But the number of first-dose jabs administered in the 24 hours to yesterday morning dropped to 22,213 — the third day in a row that the figure has fallen from the high of 25,327 recorded on Wednesday.
Mass vaccinations being given at the flagship NHS Louisa Jordan hospital, at the SEC in Glasgow, continued yesterday.
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A total of 65 vaccine stations have been created at the site with more than 5,000 health and social care staff receiving jabs last weekend.
Several health boards — including Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire and Lothian — are set to use a new booking system which will help to schedule appointments for patients in order of priority.
There were another 76 Covid deaths in Scotland in the 24 hours to yesterday while 1,307 positive tests were recorded. There are 2,085 patients in hospital with the virus, including 159 in intensive care.
dan.vevers@the-sun.co.uk
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