NHS Fife apologises for Covid vaccine invite letter error

NHS Fife has apologised to around 2,000 patients who received the wrong letter inviting them for a Covid-19 vaccine appointment.

The health board said an admin error meant immunosuppressed adults were sent a version of the mail merge detailing the autumn/winter vaccination programme, rather than the spring one.

However, in a statement bosses said the appointment details are still accurate and should be kept this weekend if possible.

Affected patients are also being contacted by officials.

Adults across Scotland who are deemed at a higher risk of illness are currently being invited for another dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

Lisa Cooper, Fife’s Immunisation Programme Director, said: "We are really sorry for this administration error, and we are working with NHS Scotland to contact all those affected in Fife to apologise for any confusion this may have caused.

“We would however want to reassure recipients that they should continue to attend the vaccination appointment allocated in the letter and individuals will have the opportunity to raise any questions about their vaccination on the day, with our vaccination clinic nurses.

"With COVID infection rates remaining high, across Scotland, vaccination is one of the best ways to protect ourselves against the virus.

“Those identified as immunosuppressed are more susceptible to the virus and are actively encouraged to come forward for this spring booster to help to maintain their protection against Covid.

"For some people with weakened immune systems this may be their 4th or 5th dose, and that is ok, as long as you have had at least 12 weeks since your last dose.”

It follows a similar administrative mix up earlier this month concerning children in the NHS Lothian area.

Their parents were wrongly told they had an underlying health condition in vaccine invitations.

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