99 year old man 'slipped through the net' of Covid vaccination programme in Milton Keynes, says family

Ronald O'Brien lives in sheltered housing at Flintergill Court on Heelands, where two of his fellow residents have suffered from Covid, say his family.

When they heard MK Hospital had launched its vaccination programme early in December, they assumed, due to his grand old age and list of health problems, he would be among the first priority groups to be called.

"We heard nothing, and we kept calling and calling the hospital asking if an appointment could be made for dad," said Mr O'Brien's daughter Susan.

"But the booking line was constantly busy and we couldn't get through. By the time we did, all the slots were gone and they said dad would get his jab through the community team via his doctors' surgery."

Because Mr O'Brien is not mobile, a nurse would have to come out to his sheltered housing scheme to give the jab.

But when the family got on to the community nurse team they drew another blank.

"l was told that he would be given his vaccination on the 9th of February by the community nurse team 'if there was any vaccination available'." said his son Phillip.

As the date grew closer, Phillip, who is 70, was called to receive his own vaccination, which was administered two weeks ago.

"It seems crazy that I had my jab before my 99-year-old dad," he said.

Finally, after more phone calls to health officials, Mr O'Brien was given his jab yesterday (Monday) morning.

"He's really pleased," said his daughter. "He's been really worried about catching Covid. We just don't understand why we had to wait so long. It seems he just slipped through the net."

A spokesman for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Groups told the Citizen: “Our focus is on delivering the largest vaccination programme in NHS history. To ensure absolutely everyone is offered the vaccine, people aged 70 and over can now contact the NHS so they can be vaccinated. The easiest way to arrange a vaccination is through the national booking service which can be accessed at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

“The system allows patients to choose a time slot and location that suits them. Anyone unable to book online can call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week.”

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