Health chiefs are under fire after East Renfrewshire pensioners were told to travel almost 50 miles to get their Covid booster jab.

Among those to hit out is a 79-year-old Barrhead man who was astonished to get a letter telling him to go to Port Glasgow Town Hall later this month for the vital inoculation.

His 80-year-old wife, however, had received a letter a few days earlier to say she could get her jab at their local health centre, in Barrhead’s Main Street, which is a short walk from their home.

Meanwhile the journey to Port Glasgow, via Paisley and the M8, involves a round trip of about 48 miles, which takes more than an hour.

The man, who asked not to be named, told the Barrhead News: “I’ve discovered that a number of people in my age group are in the same situation, where they are being sent to Port Glasgow.

“I’m fortunate because I have a car and I can get there more easily than others but I feel for elderly or vulnerable people who will have to use public transport and get a bus and train.

“It seems odd that my wife is having her booster at the local health centre and I have to go to Port Glasgow Town Hall on a different day.

“A friend of mine who stays in Paisley got a notification to come to Barrhead Health Centre for his booster, which seems another unnecessary journey.”

The Scottish Government’s vaccine booster programme is aimed at extending protection to older people who have had their first two doses and reducing the number of Covid cases over the winter.

People can also get the flu jab at the same time.

The bewildered Barrhead resident, who is a former transport worker, added: “I don’t understand why they can’t accommodate everyone from Barrhead, which is a small town, in their local health centre.

“I know of a number of folk who have tried to change their Port Glasgow appointments and are made to hang on for two hours to get a reply, which adds to the frustration.

“I also cannot understand how a system can be so inefficient.

“We are grateful that we are getting the booster but it could have been handled a lot better.”

Councillor Danny Devlin, who represents Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor, said he was shocked to learn older people are having to travel to Port Glasgow.

He added: “This just shouldn’t be happening.

“There will be many people who are unable to make this journey or have difficulties in changing the appointment.

“This is a difficult enough time for older people, with winter coming up, without adding to their concerns.”

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde told the Barrhead News: “We would like to apologise to this patient and we can confirm we are looking into his particular case.

“If patients find they have been allocated an appointment at a clinic which is too far, or if they have mobility issues or difficulties with transport, they can get support by calling the national Covid-19 vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.”