Some of Lanarkshire's most vulnerable and elderly residents are being "left behind" regarding their booster vaccines for Covid-19.
Lanarkshire Live has spoken to a number of housebound pensioners and their families, who have been left in the dark regarding when they will receive appointments - despite being contacted by NHS Lanarkshire some months ago.
The health board has confirmed there are nearly 5000 housebound people throughout the region who are waiting for the vaccine, which provides protection against coronavirus.
Many of those waiting have already passed six months since their previous vaccine dose, which medical experts believe is when the protection from the jab begins to ease off.
Pat Bolton, 83, of Rutherglen, was contacted by the health board at the start of last month, with details of appointments for her and her husband Jim.
Her husband was able to make his appointment, but Pat, who is housebound, has still not been able to organise a visit for her vaccine.
She said: "I first heard from the NHS on October 5 about getting the booster vaccine. Every time I've contacted them since then I have gotten a spiel about being on file and was told someone would be in touch a few days later to arrange an appointment, and then I hear nothing.
"I was told on one call that home visiting nurses do their own timetables and rota, and that's why they (NHS Lanarkshire) could not give an exact appointment to me. It's been very frustrating - I'm wanting to get the booster vaccine done, but can't get it!"
Rachel Gray, 93, first heard from the health board back in September about getting the booster dose, but NHS Lanarkshire has still yet to arrange an appointment.
Her daughter Lilian has been left frustrated and angry over the ongoing delays.
She said: "My mother received a letter from NHS Lanarkshire dated September 22 informing her that she was on the list for a house visit to receive her Covid booster and the flu vaccination.
"Her six months is well over from her second Covid jab, which she received in April. I have called twice to ask could they give me an indication on when they will be coming but have not heard anything.
"What I am annoyed about is that everyone including myself have their appointment date for the booster, but the elderly and housebound like my mum are being left behind."
The Labour list MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy said the situation has become "completely unacceptable".
She stated: "This situation is indicative of the crisis that our NHS is in. We know that the NHS was chronically under resourced before the pandemic, and these pre-existing issues are being exacerbated by the lack of a government plan for its recovery.
"These people are being left without reassurance that they are properly protected against the virus, the situation is completely unacceptable. I will be raising it directly with the government."
Tom Elrick, general manager of NHS Lanarkshire's vaccination programme, said: “We would like to apologise to anyone who has experienced a delay in receiving a home visit for their Covid booster and flu vaccination.
"Currently, there are around 4700 local people who need a home visit and our dedicated housebound team is working extremely hard to vaccinate people as quickly as possible.
"With the support of the military we now have plans in place to release staff from our vaccination centres to assist the housebound team.
"These plans will allow us to significantly increase the number of people we can vaccinate and we will do our best to visit everyone by the end of November."
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