A "SIGNIFICANT number of people" living near Helensburgh were missed off initial Covid vaccination lists in the early stages of the vaccine roll-out, health officials have admitted.

The residents, who a report says all lived in the Cardross area, found themselves unwittingly at the centre of a mix-up between their place of residence and the place they are registered with a GP.

The details are revealed in a new report on the progress of the Covid vaccination programme in Argyll and Bute.

The report also states that six GP practices across Argyll and Bute have withdrawn from delivering vaccinations, mostly because of the complexity involved in managing the Pfizer vaccine.

Addressing the issue of people in Cardross being missed off vaccination lists, Dr Nicola Schinaia, associate director of public health with the Argyll and Bute health and social care partnership (HSCP), said: “A significant number of people were identified living in the Cardross area who were registered with GPs in Dumbarton, but as the vaccine programme is based on board of residence, these people were initially missed as not identified in our GP lists.

“Significant measures were put in place to identify these people and vaccinate them at HSCP staff clinics. This continues as we work through the 12 priority groups.

“Support has also been offered from the Helensburgh practices."

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The Advertiser reported on the issue in April, when it was understood that people living in and near Luss were also affected by the issue.

However Luss is not mentioned in the report, which will be considered by members of the HSCP's integration board on Wednesday, September 15.

It also reveals that more than nine out of ten adults in Argyll and Bute are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, health officials have announced.

The percentage of 16 to 17-year-olds receiving their first Covid vaccine dose in the area is also already above 60 per cent, with more than 10 per cent already fully vaccinated, according to a new report.

The report also reveals that a “significant” number of Helensburgh and Lomond residents were initially missed for vaccines due to being registered with GPs in neighbouring West Dunbartonshire, although they have now been contacted.

The document will go before members of the integrated joint board (IJB) of Argyll and Bute’s health and social care partnership (HSCP) at its virtual meeting on Wednesday, September 15.

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The vaccine uptake figures are accurate as of Tuesday, September 7.

Dr Schinaia said: “Public Health Scotland report that 69,987 people in Argyll and Bute (an estimated 98.4 per cent of the population aged 18+) have had a first dose.

“[A total of] 64,166 people in Argyll and Bute (an estimated 90.2 per cent of the population aged 18+) have had a second dose.

“An estimated 61.7 per cent of those aged 16 and 17 have had a first dose, and 11.5 per cent a second dose, in Argyll and Bute.”

On the delivery of the vaccination programme in Argyll and Bute to date, Dr Schinaia said: “The delivery of such an extensive vaccination programme should not be underrated and has not been without its challenges.

“Vaccinations continue to progress well, mainly led by GPs for the public. All of our practices delivered the vaccination programme to the adult population over 50. One practice withdrew from the programme before the start of priority 10 group (age 40-49).

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“Another five practices have withdrawn from delivering the programme to priority groups 11 and 12 (ages 18-39).

"Significant contingency planning was already in place to enable HSCP vaccination teams to step in and run HSCP clinics in Oban and Dunoon and assisting in Mull.

"Contingency plans remain in place for any other areas in case any further practices withdraw.

“The main reason for withdrawal is due to the complexity of managing the Pfizer vaccine and the space required for the 15-minute wait post vaccination.

"Other challenges have included supply of vaccine but that now appears to be rectified and was short term."

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