Falkirk area residents who are eligible for a coronavirus booster and flu jag face three hour waits for their vaccines - despite having an appointment booked.
Patients have hit out at NHS Forth Valley after being told they would need to queue between two-and-a-half and three hours at Falkirk Community Hospital.
Many patients claim they've had to walk away numerous times over the past week due to "unacceptable" wait times.
Health board bosses have acknowledged the issue and say it's being closely monitored.
One woman, in her 80s and who has COPD, described her frustration - speaking to Falkirk Live outside the hospital yesterday, she said: "This is the fourth time in two weeks I have had to walk away and not be seen.
"I'm too old and unwell to be standing in queues this long, I can hardly get out my bed in the mornings, never mind this carry on. It's unacceptable when you have an appointment booked.
"How can there be queues of three hours when an appointment system is in place? The system is clearly screwed.
The elderly woman, who did not want to be named also pointed out that staff refused to give her a seat.
She added: "Twice I asked if I could sit down and twice I was told no because it would mess up the queue and cause more of a backlog.
"I'm not blaming the nurses in there, it's clearly the management that don't know how to run a vaccine centre.
"There was none of this carry on with the first and second does appointments at Forth Valley College. You were in and out. It was very smooth.
"It's about time they brought mass vaccine centres back to get through the volume of people - it's the only way to end the wait times.
"I'm 81, and my days are numbered, so I don't think it's worth my while even trying to book another appointment. It's a waste of time."
Falkirk East MSP Michelle Thomson says she's been made aware of the challenges some people are facing.
In a statement, she said: "I have contacted NHS Forth Valley on behalf of constituents who have contacted me.
"The vaccination programme for Covid vaccinations, alongside the rollout of flu vaccines, is the largest programme we have seen in Scotland in living memory.
"The vast number of people vaccinated thus far in Scotland, 90% of first doses, 82% of second doses and over 36% of a third or booster dose, is the mark of the incredible work carried out by our health professionals under extremely challenging conditions.
"Of course the changing nature of this virus continues to have an impact.
"I would encourage anyone eligible to book an appointment for their vaccination as soon as they can and help keep everyone safe as we move through the winter period."
"NHS Forth Valley staff are working tirelessly to implement the new guidance from the JCVI. It is through their hard work and dedication that we are in the position we find ourselves with the best performing vaccination programme in the UK.
"It would be helpful, however, for people to attend their appointments on time. Turning up early for your appointment may seem sensible and reasonable under the circumstances however this can often be detrimental and adds to waiting times.
"It is also unacceptable for people to abuse our NHS staff at any point in time. Abusing our hard-working staff helps no-one, and stops them helping everyone. Be kind, be patient and help our successful vaccination programme succeed further."
An NHS Forth Valley spokesperson said: "We have checked with the team and there has been no queues of 2 or 3 hours at any of our vaccination centres.
"Data from yesterday shows that the wait at busiest times was between 30 and 60mins and in many cases people who had waited longer was due to the fact they had turned up early for their appointment.
"Staff are doing everything possible to ensure people are vaccinated as quickly as possible and we closely monitor all of our sites and take action, where possible, to help manage and reduce any queues.
"We also adjust staffing levels at all our sites to match anticipated demand and this is kept under regular review."
