SOUTHSIDE GP practices have been “inundated” with calls from worried patients who have been told to travel miles for the flu vaccine, it has been claimed.

Practices in Cardonald have told how elderly people have been calling in a bid to have GP staff administer their jag, following the roll-out of the programme earlier this month.

Patients are unable to or too nervous to travel to their nearest coronavirus vaccine hub – which is the Glasgow Club Castlemilk for many in the area – and have pleaded with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) to allow GP practices to carry out the service once again.

A practice manager, who asked not to be named, said his staff were “constantly” trying to allay the fears of older patients who were concerned about making the journey, which is around eight miles.

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He said: “We all know last year was a bit of a nightmare for our patients, many of whom were months behind in receiving their vaccine, so, we had hoped this year would be different.

“Our patients are still just as concerned as last year because, given the current case numbers, they don’t want to use public transport.

“People just want to be vaccinated close to home. It doesn’t seem much to ask.”

This is the second year the health board has run the vaccination programme after it was handed the reins last year.

However, the NHSGGC said the idea behind the use of hubs as a multi-purpose vaccine centre allowed patients to have the flu jag and a coronavirus booster immunisation at the same time when the programme is rolled out.

A spokesperson for the health board said: “This year’s flu vaccination programme marks one of the largest roll-outs ever and across Greater Glasgow and Clyde we expect to offer the vaccine to more than 700,000 people.

“As patients in the community will also get the opportunity to receive a booster Covid-19 vaccine, we have tried to make it as easy as possible for them to receive both the booster and the flu vaccine through our established Covid-19 clinic network.

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“This means when the booster programme is opened up to the community, they can get both vaccinations at the same time which is the easiest and most efficient way to ensure as many people as possible are vaccinated.”

They added: “For patients unable or worried about travelling to and from a clinic, free transport and support is available to ensure they are able to safely attend their appointment.

“Any patient wishing to utilise this service or who are concerned about accessing a clinic, should call the national flu hotline on 0800 030 8013.”