NHS Lothian apologises after teenagers mistakenly invited for second Covid-19 vaccine
Most 16 and 17-year-olds are only entitled to one jag
Last updated 1st Oct 2021
NHS Lothian has apologised after mistakenly sending out hundreds of invitations for a second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to teenagers - despite many of them not being eligible.
Current medical advice is for 16 and 17-year-olds to only get one jag unless they are clinically extremely vulnerable or an unpaid carer.
The health board confirmed 2,500 incorrect text messages had been sent in a 'data error' and said it was working to establish how many letters had been posted.
A second text was sent to those affected urging them not to attend if they are not eligible.
Pat Wynne, Director of Nursing Primary and Community Care, NHS Lothian, said: "I would like to apologise to all of those teenagers affected and for any confusion and inconvenience caused.
"All of those who received a text message have been contacted again with more information on what to do next. We don’t yet know how many letters have been issued, but we are investigating fully to establish what happened and how many people are affected.
"If you are eligible for a second dose – if you clinically extremely vulnerable or an unpaid carer - please double-check your appointment and make sure you receive that vital protection from a second dose.
"However we are really keen to make sure that other teenagers do not face a wasted journey to a vaccination centre or that they do not receive a second dose when it is currently not recommended for them."
READ: Covid vaccine passport launch marred by technical problems
It comes on the day two other Scottish health boards end their drop-in vaccine facilities.
NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have both indicated they will only accept pre-booked appointments.
Scotland's eight other mainland health boards will be continuing to offer them.
A vaccine passport scheme was also launched on Friday in an effort to get more people vaccinated against the illness.