A RETIRED care home worker is disappointed with the NHS for using community venues to distribute this year's flu vaccine.

Hugh Munro, 70, from Selkirk, told the Border Telegraph that he has shunned the letter from NHS Borders inviting him to make an appointment for a jab at a community venue.

Asked for his reasons, Mr Munro cited fears over safety and accessibility. He has since made a vaccination appointment with a chemist in Edinburgh.

NHS Borders’ associate director of nursing, Sarah Horan, says over-65s are getting their jabs at community venues “to ensure the efficient and safe delivery of vaccinations” at a time when the flu vaccination programme has been extended.

Ms Horan said: “We have strict protocols and precautions in place to minimise the risk of infections when delivering flu vaccinations. These apply to all settings.”

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Mr Munro, who formerly worked at the Trinity Lodge care home in Edinburgh, believes it would be difficult for him to access community venues.

"I'd need some to help me in and out,” said Mr Munro, who uses arm crutches.

"I could go to a local GP or chemist fine, but I couldn't walk down long halls.”

When the Border Telegraph spoke with Mr Munro, he had been speaking with local chemists, and some in Edinburgh, in order to secure a vaccination appointment in a private setting.

"I get the impression that chemists are expecting the vaccine but not until November,” said Mr Munro.

"Local chemists could do it [vaccinate] and with the economy the way it is people are happy to pay [for a vaccine] to keep businesses afloat."

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Ms Horan, of NHS Borders, said: "Our community venues are located in central areas of towns throughout the Borders to ensure that they are as accessible for patients as possible.

"Those eligible for the free flu vaccination are invited to get their vaccination via an appointment at the relevant venue depending on their circumstances as part of the flu vaccination programme in the Borders.

"People who choose to get the vaccination privately through their local community pharmacy can do so for a small fee.

"If the gentleman wishes to receive a personal response from us about his specific experience we are more than happy to receive that and ask that he gets in touch with our Patient Experience team on 01896 826719."

In full: The response from NHS Borders

NHS Borders’ associate director of nursing Sarah Horan said: “As we have not seen the specific complaint that the Border Telegraph has received and is publicising, our answers are based on the general questions posed to us by the paper.

"If the gentleman wishes to receive a personal response from us about his specific experience we are more than happy to receive that and ask that he gets in touch with our Patient Experience team on 01896 826719.

"The national flu programme is both bigger and different this year. With the flu programme being extended, vaccinations taking longer and needing to be done by individual appointment it was necessary for the vaccinations to be provided in a number of different ways.

"As the over 65 group are the largest group who are eligible the decision was taken that here in the Borders these vaccinations would be provided at community venues to ensure the efficient and safe delivery of vaccinations.

"In order to ensure that patients are vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible we are encouraging patients to stand if they are able to do so. This reduces the amount of contact patients have with objects and furniture which in turn reduces their risk of infection and also greatly reduces cleaning time. This means that we can offer more vaccination appointments each day. Patients can sit down if they need to. Patients are not required to put their arms through windows.

Border Telegraph:

"We have strict protocols and precautions in place to minimise the risk of infections when delivering flu vaccinations. These apply to all settings.

"This year because of COVID-19 there are additional measures in place including social distancing, enhanced hand hygiene and cleaning, staggered appointment times and the requirement to wear face masks or coverings.

"Our community venues are located in central areas of towns throughout the Borders to ensure that they are as accessible for patients as possible.

"Those eligible for the free flu vaccination are invited to get their vaccination via an appointment at the relevant venue depending on their circumstances as part of the flu vaccination programme in the Borders. People who choose to get the vaccination privately through their local community pharmacy can do so for a small fee.

"Those aged 65 and over are being offered the free flu vaccination at designated community venues as part of the NHS Borders flu vaccination programme. People who wish to get the vaccination privately through their local community pharmacy can do so for a small fee.”