ARGYLL and Bute health chiefs have apologised for "a number of clerical errors" in letters inviting people to receive their Covid booster jags - with Helensburgh residents still awaiting appointments.

Drop-in clinics have been arranged in Arrochar, Garelochhead and Kilcreggan so far, but they are only open to patients registered with the respective medical practices in each village.

Similar clinics had been scheduled elsewhere in the council region, but last night (Thursday) the Argyll and Bute health and social care partnership (HSCP) said mistakes had been made in appointment letters meaning residents in Lochgilphead and Lochgoilhead were invited to attend clinics in Cairndow.

In an update for the Mid Argyll area a statement from the HSCP said: "Regrettably, this has been caused by a data input error and caused confusion and inconvenience to eligible people invited to be vaccinated.

"The clinics will go ahead as planned on the scheduled dates in each area and will be held in Lochgilphead Community Education (CE) Centre, Manse Brae, Lochgilphead, PA31 8QX and Lochgoilhead Village Hall, 8 Hall Road, Cairndow, PA24 8AQ.

"Mid Argyll and Lochgoilhead residents can disregard the letters received with the Cairndow clinic address, as we have now posted new appointment letters that are due to arrive by Saturday, October 30.

"Our vaccination programme managers have now completed their investigation and resolved the data processing inaccuracies.

"All scheduled clinics will be going ahead as planned. Clinics affected by the errors have been correctly updated on our website."

Helensburgh and Lomond and Oban booster vaccination appointment letters have not yet been sent out, but the HSCP said all of the clinics will be going ahead as planned.

Drop-in clinics scheduled so far in Helensburgh and Lomond are:

  • Arrochar: age 50+, Three Villages Hall, November 1 from 9am–6pm. No appointment is necessary, just drop in. You must be a patient of Arrochar Medical Practice, you must have received your second dose of a Covid vaccine six months ago, and if you have had coronavirus it must be four weeks after the date you were tested to get the booster vaccine even if you did not have symptoms.
  • Garelochhead: age 70+, Gibson Hall, November 2 from 9am–6pm. No appointment is necessary, just drop in. You must be a patient of Garelochhead Medical Practice.
  • Kilcreggan: age 50+, Cove Burgh Hall, November 3 from 9am–4.30pm. No appointment is necessary, just drop in. You must be a patient of Kilcreggan Medical Practice.

A spokesperson for the HSCP added: "We apologise sincerely for the inconvenience that this has caused.

"All eligible people due Covid-19 vaccinations will be lettered inviting them to the next scheduled clinic for their age group.

"If you have questions about vaccination clinics, or alternative appointment arrangements please contact our local vaccination enquiry hub on 01463 705531 or nhsh.covidvaccine@nhs.scot, 9.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm Saturday.

"If you would like to know whether you are currently eligible for a vaccination, please visit the NHS Inform website or contact the National Helpline: 0800 030 8013."