The concerns of local people who have been asked to travel in dangerous conditions on country roads to get their vaccine jabs was raised at Holyrood earlier today.
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston questioned Nicola Sturgeon on the issue at First Minister’s Questions, highlighting the case of Keith residents who have been asked to travel to Dufftown on wintry roads rather than being vaccinated in local health facilities.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “We all want to see the vaccine rolled out as soon as possible, and recognise that this can be harder to do in rural areas.
“But it is concerning that some elderly and vulnerable people are being asked to travel for their Covid-19 vaccination more than ten miles from one town in Moray to another during a period of severe winter weather.
“Surely this can be done more locally, and it is not the only concern raised with me about people having to travel some distance when a vaccine could be made available more closely to home.
“The point I made to Nicola Sturgeon – which she largely ignored – was that the system does not allow GPs enough flexibility to use their experience, and their knowledge of their patients’ needs, to best deliver vaccinations in their area”.
Mr Halcro Johnston also said he was disappointed with the behaviour of some SNP MSPs during his question.
He said “Unfortunately, while I raised this important issue with Nicola Sturgeon - and the case of another constituent who, at 97 years old, still hasn’t heard when he will be vaccinated - I was barracked by some SNP members in the Chamber.
“It is my job as an MSP to represent my constituents and ensure that ministers at Holyrood understand what people in areas like Moray are actually experiencing.
“It’s quite clear that, in some areas of Scotland at least, the vaccination programme is not sufficiently flexible or responsive to the needs of vulnerable people, and that’s why we see people being missed out, some being left waiting and others having to travel distances in dangerous conditions.
“If we are going to see Scotland’s rollout of the vaccine sped up – as it clearly needs to be – then the Scottish Government, their MSPs and their supporters must first accept there is a problem. It is, unfortunately, clear from their behaviour today that they don’t."
