Scotland’s vaccine roll-out was plunged into “chaos” by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman’s announcement that Pfizer shots would be distributed in care homes, it has been claimed.
Six days into the inoculation programme just over 5000 health workers have received jabs – but no other members of the public.
In England, gran Margaret Keenan, 90, and William Shakespeare, 81, were among the first to be vaccinated at hospitals last week.
But in Scotland the first care home residents are not due to receive shots until tomorrow.
Tam Waterson, chair of Unison’s health committee, said NHS boards only found out about the plan to take Pfizer doses into homes when Freeman told the media on December 3.
He said: “The plan was to use the Pfizer vaccine for health staff and arrangements were put in place for booking people in. Then the Scottish Government said they wanted to transport the vaccine into care homes – and NHS boards had to change their plans. So, rather than say 10,000 vaccinations for staff, that was cut to 5000.
“It caused a bit of chaos for NHS staff who were very busy in the first place with this massive logistical challenge.
“For the Scottish Government to be constantly changing priorities, protocols and guidance at the last minute has been very difficult.
“I’m not saying these decisions the Government has been making are wrong, but they are not consulting enough with the people on the ground.”
