SCOTLAND’S First Minister has pledged to look into the reasons for delays in the rollout of Covid booster vaccinations in Helensburgh and Lomond, and across Argyll and Bute.

Nicola Sturgeon gave her reassurance to Jackie Baillie MSP at Holyrood this week after being pressed for answers on why NHS Highland has fallen behind in its delivery of the jags.

The health board decided to take the latest phase of the vaccination programme in-house as opposed to continuing to rely on local surgeries, in a move that has been widely criticised, with the majority of eligible patients having to wait until November for appointment letters.

Medical practices across Helensburgh and Lomond voiced their disappointment earlier this month at the decision by the Argyll and Bute health and social care partnership (HSCP) not to put the booster jag programme in the hands of local GPs.

And Ms Baillie said the situation “is nothing short of a postcode lottery but with potentially serious consequences”.

She said: “It is unacceptable that elderly and vulnerable people are being left unprotected by NHS Highland whilst individuals elsewhere are being given their boosters.

READ MORE: Drop-in Covid booster jag clinics announced for rural villages

“Many local people have contacted me with their concerns. I have written to NHS Highland and the Argyll and Bute HSCP more than once about this and it is disappointing that they have not yet responded.

“The Scottish Government must act urgently to ensure that the booster programme is rolled out swiftly so that protection is given to those who need it.

“This is an issue that I will continue to push the health board and government on until local people receive their booster.”

The First Minister said she was “happy to look at the figures for NHS Highland and for mainland Argyll and Bute, in particular, to see whether there is a particular problem there”.

She added: “It is important to recognise that, at the point of the JCVI advice, some people - particularly in the older group - had already been waiting six months.

“We could not start the programme before we had the advice, so there has always been a catch-up requirement in the programme, which is why it is important that we get it done as quickly as possible.

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“All efforts are being focused on that. I will get back to Jackie Baillie on the particular geographical point as quickly as possible.”

Booster jag clinics have already been held in Campbeltown and Cowal, while a drop-in clinic is due to be held in Arrochar’s Three Villages Hall on Monday, November 1 from 9am-6pm.

A social media post shared by the Arrochar Surgery on Tuesday said: “NHS Highland are offering booster Covid vaccines to anyone over 50 who is 24 weeks from their second Covid vaccine.

“Please share widely as we have been informed invite letters may not arrive on time to notify patients of the clinic.

“Please also note this clinic is not being run by the Arrochar GP surgery and we would ask you not to phone the surgery to book an appointment.”

Meanwhile Kilcreggan Medical Centre says its patients will be able to attend Cove Burgh Hall for a series of drop-in clinics starting next week.

READ MORE: Health boss pleads for patience in Covid booster jag and flu vaccine update

The practice said: “If you are aged over 50 and had your second Covid vaccination before May 3 then you are invited to pop along to Cove Burgh Hall between 9am and 4.30pm on Wednesday, November 3.

“There will also be clinics on November 24, December 8 and 15 for those who had their second vaccination after May 3.

“Eligible patients should receive an invitation to attend at one of these clinics.”

And in Garelochhead people aged 70 and over and registered at the village's medical practice can attend a clinic at the Gibson Hall on Tuesday, November 2 between 9am and 6pm.

In an update last week NHS Highland’s director of public health, Dr Tim Allison, said: “Clinic plans are kept under constant review and all options to increase the amount of qualified staff available to carry out vaccination are being considered.

“Please be assured we are working to vaccinate you as quickly as we can but we would ask for everyone’s patience as we work through our plans.”