Elderly patients had to queue outside a West Lothian health centre today for their covid and flu vaccines for so long that some brought their own chairs.

Blackridge Health Centre was hit with problems which led to people having to stand outside while they waited for their turn.

Rumours spread in the village that the surgery had run out of vaccines, but it was it was in fact a booking system error that had caused the problems.

A spokesperson for the West Lothian HSCP said: “There have been some delays for patients receiving their flu and Covid-19 booster vaccines at our site in Blackridge today that were caused by an error with the booking system, which is out with our control.

"This resulted in delays for some people that have attended.

"The delays are not caused by a shortage of vaccine but due to the numbers of staff working to deliver the vaccines within the designated timeslots, which were shortened as a result of the error with the booking system.

“We have taken immediate action to increase the number of staff onsite which will reduce the waiting time for those attending today. We apologise for any delays and would encourage everyone to continue to attend their appointment as normal.

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