Blow as Aviemore Covid booster clinic is called off
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The only Covid clinic that had been scheduled for Aviemore following government calls to get booster jags as soon as possible has been called off.
NHS Highland was to have been holding the clinic – which would also have administered flu jabs – this Saturday from 9am to 4pm at a yet to be confirmed venue.
It will now be rescheduled but no date has been given.
A spokesperson said on the booking site: "We are very sorry but we have to cancel this clinic due to staffing pressures.
"We will reschedule as soon as we can."
It is proving to be very difficult for those in Aviemore and the surrounding area to get a booster without having to travel further afield with Inverness holding drop-in and booking clinics.
But many of these have been arranged through working hours.
Saturday's clinic had been the only one scheduled for Aviemore.
Aviemore Medical Practice is not holding any booster clinics having delivered the first and second Covid jags programmes, and booster vaccinations are instead being carried out by the health board.
Kingussie and Gergask in Laggan have been delivering booster vaccinations for their patients.
Clinics have been held in Aviemore for those over 50 and those who are clinically vulnerable.
The wait for the Covid jag after a second dose has been cut from six months to over three months because of the concerns over the Omicron variant.
The postponement in Aviemore comes just two days after the Scottish Government announced a range of measures that it said would speed up the Covid-19 booster programme nationally, in a bid to provide better protection against the spreading Omicron variant.
The Scottish Government said all NHS board areas are working to increase the availability of drop-in clinics – with a particular focus on the over 40s – and to identify larger sites that can be brought online in the coming weeks.
But that will come as little comfort to those people in Aviemore who are still having to wait for their Covid booster.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said on Tuesday: “The most important thing we can all do to protect ourselves and others from Covid-19 is to get our vaccinations and boosters when eligible.
"The vaccines we have are highly effective and safe and I urge anyone who is eligible and not yet vaccinated to book an appointment.
“There is a massive national effort underway to ensure that all adults will be able to book a booster appointment before the end of the year...
“Demand for boosters may mean you may have to wait in a queue at drop-in centres but we urge everyone to be patient. We have plenty of supplies and are working with Health Boards to maximise vaccination capacity as quickly and safely as we possibly can."
Grantown Medical Practice announced earlier this week that it was now holding three clinics for Covid boosters and these are scheduled for tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday but only available for eligible registered patients.
The Strathy has contacted NHS Highland for more details on the cancellation and when they are likely to hold a booster clinic in Aviemore.
Details on the latest clinics in the strath and wider Highlands for Covid boosters can be found here
Three Covid booster clinics confirmed by Grantown Medical Practice
Aviemore and Grantown practices explain why they are not delivering booster vaccinations
• Are you waiting to get a Covid booster in the Aviemore area and what do you think of the current situation? Let us know at editorial@sbherald.co.uk
