HEALTH chiefs have been blasted by Helensburgh and Lomond's MSP for the "shambolic" roll out of Covid booster jags in the area.

The latest stage in the vaccination programme is being delivered by the Argyll and Bute health and social care partnership (HSCP) despite local GP surgeries successfully administering initial doses.

The Advertiser understands that NHS Highland's decision to take the booster jag programme in-house was based on a new GP contract agreed by the Scottish Government which will see GPs cease to do flu and Covid vaccinations next year, transferring responsibility for delivery to the NHS.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “To ensure the vaccination programmes run as smoothly as possible, boards will still be able to ask GP practices in very remote and rural areas to continue delivering vaccines where appropriate.

“Beyond this we continue to support health boards to develop and implement their plans to transfer routine vaccination delivery from GPs under the Vaccination Transformation Programme to allow surgeries to meet wider healthcare needs and allow GP practices to focus on what only GPs can do.”

Jackie Baillie MSP told the Advertiser that the plan for the Helensburgh and Lomond Covid booster vaccinations was prepared over a month ago, but information was not shared with the public, leaving people worried about when they would receive their jags.

According to an HSCP spokesman details of upcoming clinics were not made public "to stop confusion in our communities as people are being offered clinic appointments by letter".

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

Helensburgh patients have been offered appointments for third dose immunosuppressed clinics at the Victoria Infirmary, with people meeting the booster jag criteria set to be lettered from November 6 and further details due to be published on the NHS Highland website.

Helensburgh Parish Church is scheduled to be used for future clinics, while drop-in surgeries are being provided in the Three Villages Hall in Arrochar, Cove Burgh Hall and the Gibson Hall in Garelochhead.

Last week the HSCP apologised for "a number of clerical errors" in letters inviting people to receive their Covid booster jags, with Ms Baillie raising concerns about the lack of communication with residents.

She said: "Local people are rightly upset about not receiving their Covid booster vaccination timeously.

"They will be all the more astonished to learn that a plan was actually prepared a month ago but senior health bosses have simply failed to communicate this.

“To add insult to injury, the HSCP haven’t sent letters to those living in the Lomond area and letters for Helensburgh were addressed to Sutherland. This comedy of errors is unforgivable given the serious consequences for older people of contracting Covid.

“I am angry and disappointed that it has taken so long to get this back on track, but I am now hopeful people will receive information about their Covid booster.

“The vaccinators deserve our praise for the work that they do. They are not to blame for this shambles. Responsibility for that lies squarely at the door of senior managers at both the HSCP and NHS Highland.

“The Scottish Government need to get a grip of what’s happening in our local area so that older people are not put at risk.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood last week that she would look into the circumstances of the Argyll and Bute booster programme "too see whether there is a particular problem there".

The HSCP spokesman added: "The Helensburgh and Lomond team is working tirelessly to get everyone vaccinated as quickly as possible.

"To date the vaccination team has vaccinated the undernoted vulnerable people and other groups: care home staff and residents, health and social care frontline staff, care providers, NHS contractors (chemists, opticians, dentists, GP surgery staff), all school staff including teachers/catering, janitors and admin (flu vaccine), nursery staff (flu vaccine), immunosuppressed (ongoing), 16–17-year-olds (GPs had been involved with this group also), 12-15-year-old vulnerable, house-bound.

"Over 50s booster programme commenced today (Monday, November 1) and will be continued through to December 17.

"In the week commencing November 15, 12-15 year-olds will be offered a first dose Covid vaccination programme in Hermitage Academy and Lomond School."

Details of upcoming clinics in the Helensburgh and Lomond area can be found here.