GLASGOW’S health board has failed to meet its target to vaccinate all over 65s against the deadly flu virus by December, the Glasgow Times can reveal.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) promised all appointments for pensioners across Glasgow and the west would be scheduled to take place before November 30, after the Give Our OAPs a Shot campaign was launched in response to major vaccination delays.

However, a spokeswoman for the board has confirmed, while it had met the Scottish Government target of 75%, the flu jab programme was still ongoing last week - meaning it had fallen short of its bid to complete pensioner vaccinations by the end of last month.

A total of 76% of the city’s over 65 age group had been vaccinated so far.

A spokeswoman said: "The flu vaccination programme remains underway across NHSGGC and we encourage those who are eligible to be vaccinated.

"We have immunised more than 154,000 people, which amounts to 76% of the over 65 age group within Greater Glasgow and Clyde. This exceeds the 75% target set by the Scottish Government."

The board previously said it would "learn the lessons" caused by the rollout failure, but it remains tight lipped over how it plans to update the programme ahead of next winter.

It insisted patients would not be at a higher risk of contracting the potentially deadly virus as flu season "starts between late December and January".

In October, the health board was forced to scrap its controversial Scottish Immunisation and Recall Service (SIRS), which prioritised vaccinations from oldest to youngest, after it came under fire from thousands of pensioners who faced lengthy delays for the jab.

Health minister Jeanne Freeman stepped in to demand an end to the system and urged the health board to apologise to patients.

She later criticised NHSGGC for the length of time it took to say sorry.

Meanwhile, Conservative MSP Annie Wells previously branded the programme "shambolic" and called for clarity over the boards plans for future flu seasons.

She said: “This year, it was more vital than ever that our elderly and vulnerable were given the flu jab as quickly as possible.

“It is hugely concerning that almost a quarter of those eligible are still waiting as we head further into the winter months and raises questions over how smoothly imminent Covid-19 vaccines will be rolled out."

She added: “There must be urgent clarification on when all flu vaccinations will be fully completed and what lessons will be learned ahead of next year.”

The failure to complete give the jab to everybody over 65 in the city means it will still be running as the first coronavirus vaccine patients are immunised tomorrow.

Last week, it was confirmed the Pfizer-BioNTech had been approved by the UK Government, with more than 30,000 people are expected to receive the first round of the jag in Scotland.

However, NHSGGC urged flu jab patients to continue attending their appointments as normal.

An NHSGGC spokeswoman added: "Attending a vaccination centre is considered an essential reason to travel, so while the majority of our health board area is in Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions, we would like to encourage people to please continue to attend your appointment at this time.

"For those who cannot travel to our centres, alternative opportunities will be put in place.

We understand the concerns that were raised by members of the public, including through the Glasgow Times campaign and we are very sorry for any distress that was caused.

"We have been working hard to address concerns as a matter of urgency to improve the remainder of this year’s flu programme and put learning in place for next year."

Vaccination centres are open for anyone who missed an appointment or needs to rearrange a future visit.

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