HEALTH chiefs have apologised after Lanarkshire locals were made to wait "hours" to get their Covid jag today. 

Images shared with the Glasgow Times showed scores of people queueing outside Ravenscraig Regional Sports Centre with NHS Lanarkshire bosses blaming "significant delays" on staff shortages. 

The Motherwell-based hub recently became one of two "supercentres" in the health board and is now responsible for vaccinating people from all across North Lanarkshire. 

READ MORE: Lanarkshire health bosses move to allay fears over transport links to Covid vaccine centres
One resident, who asked not to be named, called today's scenes "shocking" and said she had been made to wait two hours to receive her jag. 

She added: "It's been a total shambles." Glasgow Times:

NHS Lanarkshire bosses have now issued an apology to members of the public and blamed the delays on unprecedented challenges. 

Dr Mark Russell, Lead for the covid-19 vaccination programme in Lanarkshire, said: “We are aware of the queues at our covid-19 vaccination clinic at Ravenscraig and would like to apologise to anyone who had to wait for a significant length of time to receive their vaccination.

"We are now undertaking second dose vaccinations, which is another huge undertaking and comes with its own challenges.

“The queues today were due to a number of unexpected challenges, including staff absences.

"Staff at the centre took immediate action to bring in additional staff, to help reduce delays."

As we previously reported, concern had been raised by the decision to close vaccine hubs in the likes of Airdrie and Wishaw with most services moving to Ravenscraig and East Kilbride. 

Glasgow Times: Richard Leonard previously criticised the decision to move Lanarkshire's vaccination programme to two supercentres Richard Leonard previously criticised the decision to move Lanarkshire's vaccination programme to two supercentres

READ MORE: Concern raised about vaccine hub closures in string of Lanarkshire towns

Richard Leonard, the former Labour leader, was among those to criticise the move, saying local transport to the centres from many parts of Lanarkshire "did not exist". 

Dr Russell added: "We would like to thank everyone for their patience as we continue to deliver the largest ever vaccination programme.”