A 94-YEAR-OLD woman will “knock herself ill” if she doesn’t get a flu jab soon amid fears she could be hospitalised during coronavirus, her family has warned.

Margaret Neilson is “terrified” of the potential health implications that could result from the delay in getting in her flu jab.

Her 70-year-old daughter Irene Rafferty says the pensioner, who resides in sheltered housing in Possilpark, asks her family everyday when she will receive the influenza vaccination.

Irene says Margaret and her family have done all they can to keep her safe throughout the pandemic, but the matriarch fears their efforts will be in vein if she is struck down with the flu while the virus is still raging throughout the nation.

Speaking out about her mum’s situation, Irene said: “We’ve tried to keep her safe as best as we can by not going in her house and just dropping off shopping so she doesn’t have to go out, but now she’s really worried.

“We’ve saved her from Covid-19 so far, but now she’s saying ‘what if I get the flu without the jag?’.

“She’s terrified about it. She’s going to knock herself ill.”

Margaret and her family were unaware of the systematic changes which meant the vaccination rollout would be handled by health boards this year.

It wasn’t until she was late to receive her jab, that doting daughter Irene contacted her mum’s local health centre and was told to get in touch with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) for an update.

“You go around in a loop”, she said.

Read more: 'Shocking': Pensioner with walking difficulties and lung problems expected to catch four buses for flu jag

“You call and get a big automated spiel and get cut off, and then send an email and get an automatic reply.

“It’s like hitting your head off a brick wall.”

She added: “I call my mum every day and she’s really worried.”

Margaret suffers from heart problems and eye problems, which leave her with extremely poor sight.

Irene believes her health conditions coupled with her age should put her at the top of the list for a vaccine.

However, the rollout delays has meant Irene has received her jab first.

She said: “I’m in Largs and I had mine done the first week it was available, but I haven’t even told her that because it’s going to make it worse.

“She’s concerned and I’m scared she’s going to work herself up. I think she’s just worried if she ends up ill with the flu, she could be in hospital and then she’d be at risk for Covid-19”.

A spokeswoman for NHSGGC insisted an almost 50% rise in uptake for the vaccine has resulted in phone lines being busier than normal, which has resulted in some patients struggling to get through at points. It’s understood the health boards are working to address this.

She said: “We have prioritised the older age group of 65+ along with those who are at risk ahead of the new cohort of 55-64 years of age. This is to ensure that all those who need it most, will have access to an appointment and the opportunity to be vaccinated before the start of flu season.”

She added: “The timing of the flu season varies each year but usually commences later in December or in the New Year, followed by two to three months of flu transmission.”