Booster scramble with 'two hour queues' and booking system crashes as over 30s invited for jab in Glasgow

Long queues built up outside vaccination centres today on the first day that booking opened for those aged 30 and over. There were reports of two hour waits at Glasgow Central Mosque while others struggled to book appointments as the computer system went live.

Teacher Paul Bisland said: “Currently in the booster queue at Glasgow Central Mosque, queued over an hour outside and now I estimate I’ll have a similar wait inside – everyone has an appointment.

"If this is what it’s going to be like, NHS will need to sort toilets etc and we’re all lucky it’s dry today.”

Currently in the booster queue at Glasgow Central Mosque, queued over an hour outside and now I estimate I'll have a similar wait inside - everyone has an appointment. If this is what it's going to be like, NHS will need to sort toilets etc and we're all lucky it's dry today

— Paul Bisland (@PaulBisland) December 13, 2021

Patients took to social media to complain about the lack of availability for appointments in the run-up to Christmas.

Sean Martin said there were none in Paisley, Renfrew or Johnstone until January. He said: “Will there be more booster appointments made available in the Greater Glasgow region? Nothing from now to end of January in Renfrew, Paisley or Johnstone.”

@NHSGGC will there be more booster appointments made available in the Great Glasgow region? Nothing from now to end of Jan in Renfrew, Paisley or Johnstone.

— Sean Martin (@martin88_sean) December 13, 2021

One woman, who has asked not to be named, contacted us yesterday after she struggled to book an appointment after testing positive with Covid-19.

Under guidelines, those who have tested positive with the virus should wait 28 days to receive the booster jab. She said: “I couldn’t get my booster today which was booked as I am isolating having tested positive. When cancelling the appointment on Friday I asked to be rescheduled for any time after January 12, 28 days after testing positive.

"The system was unable to book one for me and said I was to keep trying. I have been since Friday and no appointments available on the calendar up to February 8.”

The woman has now been able to book one for January 13, but claims she spent days trying to re-arrange this.

However, others have reported having no problems booking jab appointments.
A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the health board is “actively adding more appointments” while considering “a number of options” to increase capacity.

But the Scottish Tories said the only way forward is for the Scottish Government to re-open community vaccination centres as the Government has said around 70,000 vaccines will have to be given – including on Christmas Day – to reach the January target of having offered all eligible Scots a 
booster.

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary, Sandesh Gulhane MSP, said: “I recognise it’s a huge logistical task bringing the booster target forward, but it’s Humza Yousaf’s job to put the structures in place for the accelerated roll-out.
“He can’t just tell people to put up with delays and booking problems – he has to fix them by increasing capacity in the system 
immediately. 

“That’s why mass vaccination clinics – which I’ve been calling on the SNP government to re-open for weeks – are so important.

“It’s essential that we remove all the obstacles that might put people off, if we’re to maximise booster uptake and achieve this target.”

Commenting on Scotland’s Covid-19 booster vaccination programme, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I can confirm that urgent work is under way to further accelerate roll-out of the booster vaccination programme in Scotland.

A spokesperson for NHSGGC said last night: “The national booking portal for over 30s has just launched this morning and we are actively adding more appointments. 

“In line with the increase in demand, within NHSGGC we are also considering a number of options to increase capacity to deliver additional appointments in the coming days and weeks. 

“At this time we would ask for the public’s patience and support for our vaccine teams on the ground who are working tirelessly to administer as many doses as 
possible. 

“Given the significant increase in the number of people attending our clinics, patients may find they have to wait longer than expected, but please rest assured we are doing everything possible to make sure everyone is able to get an appointment.”

The Scottish Government said Scotland has the highest proportion of the over-12 population protected with booster or third doses of all the UK nations. 
The NHS Inform booking portal will open to 18 to 29-year-olds later in the week, having opened to 30 to 39-year-olds yesterday. 

Nicola Sturgeon is expected to give further details of the accelerated roll-out to Parliament today and said in a statement: “Getting booster jags into people’s arms as quickly as possible is essential given what we now know about Omicron and the importance of boosters in ensuring maximum protection against the new variant.”
However, she refused to rule out new restrictive measures in the run up to Christmas.

The First Minister added: “In the meantime, we are urging people to get vaccinated, test ahead of mixing with other households, work from home if possible, wear face coverings and follow all hygiene advice.

“We face, once again, a renewed challenge from Covid. 

“By pulling together to protect ourselves and others, we will get through it.”