NHS workers were facing waits of over two hours for their coronavirus vaccination as a queue mounted outside a Glasgow hospital. 

A nurse- who did not wish to be named - raised concerns that the long wait could affect frontline care in hospitals with staff stuck in the queue rather than working.

He was told to come for his jag at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary shortly after 1pm today and said it was more than half an hour late at the time of speaking. 

The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital worker said: "I was told by a steward that the people who are now at the back of the queue will have to wait for three hours.

“The wards are depleted because of this as well.”

Glasgow Times:

He said he was frustrated people were having to waste time in the queue when they were meant to be in work. 

Health and social care workers were lined up around the corner from the New Lister Building onto Alexandra Parade as they waited to get the vital shot against Covid-19. 

It is understood that the first immunisations were supposed to begin at 8am but that, due to a delay, work did not get started until 10am, pushing back the schedule and that, as of the time of going to print, workers were still waiting on their jags. 

Workers were reportedly told they would not be allowed to keep their appointment if they did not wait in the queue. Glasgow Times:

The source added: “The next time I see the steward, I’m going to ask if he can provide hot drinks for people because it’s freezing.”

Glasgow Times:

Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour's health spokeswoman said: “Rolling out the vaccine has to be the Scottish Government’s number one priority.

“This must be done as quickly and efficiently as possible, so it’s worrying to hear that frontline NHS staff are waiting in long queues.

“The Scottish government must ensure we have enough vaccinators and sites to prevent this from happening.

“Hospitals are struggling to cope and staffing levels are at crisis point. We need to make it easy as possible for staff to get their jabs.

Glasgow Times:

“Health Secretary Jeane Freeman must update Parliament next week on how the vaccine programme is going and agree to publish a daily progress report.”

Vaccinations began in December, with nurse Paula McMahon the first person in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board to receive her BioNTech jag just days after it was approved for use. 

Two vaccines are now available to be used in the fight against coronavirus after the Oxford dose was approved for use on December 30. 

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "We sincerely apologise to anyone who was unable to receive their Covid-19 vaccination [yesterday] morning at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

"Unfortunately due to a scheduling error, vaccination staff were not on-site to provide vaccinations this morning. We are sorry for this mistake.

"We are making arrangements for those who have missed their appointment to be offered another appointment this afternoon or another appointment this week."