An Edinburgh student has received NHS Lothian’s one millionth COVID-19 vaccine. Orken Simsek, 20, received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Royal Highland Showground’s Lowland Hall on Monday 28 June 2021.
He said he was excited to receive the vaccine because it would help give him increased protection from COVID-19 when he went on holiday later in the summer.
Orken is part of the cohort 12, which is now being invited to take part in NHS Lothian’s COVID vaccination programme.
The programme, which began with staff vaccinations at Edinburgh’s Western General on Wednesday 9 December 2020, has now seen around 600,000 vaccinated across the region as part of the fight against COVID-19.
Pat Wynne, Director of Community Nursing, NHS Lothian, said: “This is an important milestone for NHS Lothian and it is great that so many people have now come through our doors.
“It has taken a lot of work to get to one million mark and I’m really proud of all the effort from all of our teams. It is also great to see younger people now receive their vaccine as the programme enters its final stages.”
The millionth vaccine comes as NHS Lothian launches drop-in centres for all over-18s across the region.
From today (Wednesday 30 June) anyone over the age of 18 and living in Lothian can receive their first vaccination immediately at any mass vaccination centre.
Those who have already received a first vaccination can receive their second as long as they received a COVID vaccine at least eight weeks before.
This development comes after NHS Lothian successfully launched drop-in vaccination clinics for over-40s over the last month. Those wishing to keep their appointment time can still do so at all of NHS Lothian’s vaccination clinics.
Mr Wynne added: “To celebrate our millionth vaccine, we are opening up all our mass vaccination clinics to all over-18s with immediate effect. This will let us accelerate our programme and allow as many people as possible to get vaccinated without having to wait for their appointment.
“This means that we are able to target everyone over 18 who doesn’t have an appointment or were unable to attend the appointment they received, for whatever reason.
“It will help us administer more vaccine to more people to help give them some protection, which is obviously vital to help beat new variants and keep people well.”
People will be seen on a first come, first served basis when the centre opens at 8.30am and runs through until 5.30pm. More information can be found at:
https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Drop-in-clinics-under-40.aspx
NHS Lothian’s vaccination programme is part of a multi-step approach in the fight to overcome COVID-19.
There are a number of steps member of the public can take to make the vaccine programme as successful as possible. These include physical distancing when out in public, hand washing and taking part in community testing.
Dona Milne, Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian, said: “As the restrictions begin to ease and the list of things we can do begins to increase, it’s tempting to think that it’s safe.
“The virus is still around us and it doesn’t mean that these things can be done without face masks, handwashing and social distancing. We cannot afford to return to normal just because we want it so badly. Lives may depend on it.
“We know that the weather is better and people want to get together and mix with friends, especially outdoors. As our worlds open up these things are allowed, and as we know outside is always safer, but we still need to think about maintaining our distance and wearing face masks when we can’t.”