By Lucy Ashton
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie has challenged the Health Secretary Humza Yousaf over his ‘complete failure’ to help the family of a young disabled person secure a vaccine appointment.
Jackie Baillie had written to Humza Yousaf to raise the case of 14 year-old Katie Steel, a young person living with cerebral and bulbar palsy.
Katie’s family had been advised by her Neurologist that she should receive the Covid vaccine.
However, when Katie’s Neurology team contacted the Scottish Government’s Covid Hub to organise a vaccine, they were told that it was not available for her.
In Scotland, the Covid-19 vaccine is only available for clinically vulnerable young people aged over 16. Despite this, in England the charity Contact have reported that vulnerable children in England have already been receiving their vaccination.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie.
In response to the letter from Jackie Baillie, Humza Yousaf asserted that Katie’s neurology team had not asked for a vaccine appointment from the Covid Hub (completely contrary to assurances from the neurology team) and proceeded to discuss guidance for people aged 16 to 17 – despite the fact that Katie is 14.
Mr Yousaf’s letter has left Katie’s family ‘distraught’, and Jackie Baillie has said that the ‘complete failure’ of Mr Yousaf to assist in this case highlights the growing gap in treatment for clinically vulnerable young people in Scotland and England.
Jackie Baillie said: “This is nothing short of an outrage. Katie’s family are distraught and need help to secure a vaccine appointment for Katie now.
“The Minister’s complete failure to respond pro-actively to this call for help is deeply disappointing and questions must be asked about why younger people in Scotland who are clinically vulnerable are struggling to get vaccinated.
“It’s high time Humza Yousaf rethinks the position he has taken and decides to intervene positively on Katie’s behalf. “
Katie’s mother, Clare Steel, said: “There is nothing more important to my family than the safety of our daughter.
“But despite the best efforts of Katie’s doctors, the government has made it clear that it is not willing to help.
“Mr Yousaf’s letter was deeply disappointing – I hope, for the sake of Katie and all the other young people in her situation – that he reconsiders.”
