Aberdeenshire flu vaccination centre opens amid soaring cases as residents faced 40-mile round trip
A new flu and Covid-19 vaccination centre has been established in Aberdeenshire after residents were previously advised to travel up to 20 miles to receive their jabs.
The decision to open the centre at Alford Fire Station comes after elderly and vulnerable residents struggled to access vaccination sites in Banchory, Insch or Huntly. With limited public transport options, some were 'told to take a taxi', facing a 40-mile round trip for their essential vaccines.
NHS Grampian launched a “test of change” initiative by opening the fire station as a local vaccination hub.
The move comes during a challenging winter for the region’s health services. NHS Grampian reported a 260% increase in flu-related hospital admissions last month compared to the same period last year, with almost one in 15 beds at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary occupied by flu patients. Additionally, pharmacies across Scotland have struggled to meet the demand for flu vaccines amid an ongoing ‘flu epidemic’.
READ MORE: Inverurie supermarket could get new drive-thru as plans submitted to council
READ MORE: Mining firm digging for rare earth minerals in Ellon accused of 'keeping locals in the dark'
In response to a letter by Aberdeenshire West Conservative MSP Alexander Burnett highlighting the concerns of residents, Pam Milliken, Chief Officer of the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said the aim is to deliver services as close to communities as possible, despite challenges with finding suitable premises and workforce availability.
She wrote: “Within Grampian, we have been working closely within our community planning partnership to organise the assets we have available to us. I am pleased to advise that we will be delivering a test of change utilising the fire station in Alford to offer our adult routine vaccination programme to the local community.”
NHS Grampian has indicated that the success of the Alford Fire Station hub will inform future plans for local vaccination delivery, ensuring vital health services remain within reach for rural communities.
Alexander Burnett, said: “I’m pleased residents in Alford will now have a vaccination centre in the town but it should never have got to this point.
“Scotland’s flu epidemic has resulted in a devastating loss of life and left our NHS overwhelmed.
“It’s completely unacceptable for elderly patients in rural areas to be stranded and told to get a taxi for a 40-mile round trip for their flu and covid vaccines.
“The SNP government completely failed to prepare our health service for such a spike in flu cases by making it nearly impossible for some people to get their flu vaccine.
“I’m glad the vaccines will now be administered locally in Alford rather than centrally.
“For vulnerable groups, having the vaccines is essential for protecting themselves and others this winter and with Covid still present, it’s more important than ever that they get both.”