Those aged 80 years of age and over invited forward for vaccination
NHS Lothian is getting ready to vaccinate those aged 80 years of age and over as it rolls out the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine into GP and community settings from today (January 11).
With mainland Scotland now in lockdown, David Small, Director of Primary Care Transformation and NHS Lothian COVID-19 Vaccination Project Lead today reminded those eligible who will be invited in the coming weeks that getting the COVID-19 vaccine is a permissible reason to leave the home.
The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in the UK last week (December 30). It is the second COVID-19 vaccine to be approved by the MHRA.
With age the greatest risk factor for serious illness and death from COVID-19, the first priority group for the vaccine is residents in a care home for older adults and their carers, people aged 80 or over and frontline health and social care workers.
Those aged 80 or over will receive a letter or ‘phone call from NHS [insert board area] inviting them forward for their vaccination and advising them where and when they can get it.
The vaccine requires two doses to offer the best possible protection. Second dose appointments will be scheduled for twelve weeks after the first dose is administered, in line with MHRA regulatory advice and updated clinical guidance from the JCVI.
David Small, Director of Primary Care Transformation and NHS Lothian COVID-19 Vaccination Project Lead said: “The first of our GP practices began administering the COVID vaccine to the over 80s last week (above) and from today further roll out commences.
“The COVID vaccine offers a beacon of hope, in what has some been truly difficult times. Across Lothian, we are working tirelessly to make sure that we can deliver the vaccine to each of the relevant groups when they are due to receive it.
“Whilst stay at home guidance is in place to supress the spread of COVID-19, I’d encourage those who are eligible to attend their appointments when invited, as getting vaccinated remains a valid reason to leave your home.”
“Those who are eligible for vaccination will be contacted directly with details of when and where they will receive their vaccinations. We ask individuals to wait to hear, rather than contact their GP.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, said: “We are prioritising the delivery of first vaccine doses to as many people on the JCVI Phase 1 clinical priority list in the shortest possible timeframe, to maximise the impact of the vaccine programme in its primary aims of reducing mortality and hospitalisations for those at greatest risk.
“Vaccination is one of the most important tools we have as we work our way out of this pandemic.”
For more information visit nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine or call 0800 030 8013.
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