Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave this statement at the coronavirus press conference last night:
Today the national vaccination programme continues to power past the target we set six weeks ago with more than 15 million people vaccinated across the UK.
And once again I pay tribute to the astonishing efforts of everyone involved – the GPs, the nurses, the volunteers, the army and the pharmacists like Hardik Desai – who rallied local volunteers to vaccinate 3,000 people in his village hall in Ticehurst in Sussex, while keeping his pharmacy open – and of course I thank all of you who have come forward to be vaccinated.
This is an unprecedented national achievement but it’s no moment to relax and in fact it’s the moment to accelerate because the threat from this virus remains very real.
Yes, it’s true, we have vaccinated more than 90 per cent of those aged over 70 but don’t forget that 60 per cent of hospital patients with Covid are under 70.
And although the vaccination programme is going well, we still don’t have enough data about the exact effectiveness of the vaccines in reducing the spread of infection.
We have some interesting straws in the wind. We have grounds for confidence. But the vaccinations have only been running for a matter of weeks – and while we are learning the whole time – we don’t today have all the hard facts that we need.
And the level of infection remains very high, with more people still in hospital today than at the peak last April and admissions running at 1,600 a day.
So we have to keep our foot to the floor. And I can tell you today that the next million letters are landing on people’s mats right now, offering appointments to the over-65s and we are also contacting all those aged between 16 and 64 with underlying health conditions, as well as adult carers.
And if we can keep this pace up – and if we can keep supply steady – and I hope and believe we can – then we hope to offer a vaccination to everyone in the first nine priority groups – including everyone over 50 – by the end of April.
And at the same time we will be giving second doses to millions of the most vulnerable within twelve weeks of the first.
So this moment is a huge step forward but it’s only a first step.
And while it shows what the country can do we must be both optimistic but also patient.
And next week I will be setting out a roadmap saying as much as we possibly can about the route to normality even though some things are very uncertain.
Because we want this lockdown to be the last. And we want progress to be cautious but also irreversible.
So please continue to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
The Freemasons are encouraging its 200,000 members to roll up their sleeves and volunteer to help vaccinate the population.
To help protect all UK citizens during this difficult time, the Freemasons have also offered their lodges to administer the vital jabs and many buildings are being used as Covid-19 vaccination centres.
In Hertfordshire, for example, Halsey Hall is being used as a vaccination centre and supporting three local GP surgeries. The centre has been operational since 15 January and once fully scaled, there will be up to 1,000 vaccinations given each day at the centre.
NHS frontline staff members are also administering the jabs at the Freemasons building in Essex. Meanwhile, Freemasons in south Wales are opening the doors of Barry Masonic Hall to local medical practices to help in the mass vaccination against Covid-19, from 21 January.
Two halls are also being used as vaccination centres in west Kent. At the Westwood Masonic Centre in Welling, more than 2,000 people were vaccinated on 9-10 January 2021, while the Tunbridge Wells Masonic Centre opened its doors for vaccinations on 14 January.
In addition, the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), the governing body for Freemasonry in England and Wales, is encouraging Freemasons to donate their time and efforts to help fight the virus. It also emphasised that those volunteering should not participate if they are in an at-risk group.
Freemason Alec Hurley is a retired RAF senior medical officer and a self-employed medical examiner for the Civil Aviation Authority. During these difficult times, he is back on duty working 12-hour shifts three times a week for clinical Covid-19 assessment, and as a clinical supervisor at the Stevenage super hub for vaccinations.
In many provinces, Freemasons are volunteering to help. In Devonshire, Lincolnshire, Leicester and Wiltshire they are assisting at vaccination sites, while in Dorset they are driving ambulances and working as volunteer vaccinators.
More than 100 Freemasons from Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire have volunteered with St John’s Ambulance to help the NHS Covid-19 vaccination team. St John’s Ambulance is providing full training for the volunteers, while the Freemasons have made their buildings available to the St John’s logistics team.
Meanwhile, in Cheshire, Freemasons are working with the Clinical Commissioning Group to provide the local Masonic Hall as a major vaccination hub to protect patients.
The UGLE campaign is being carried out through its monthly email to members and official social media channels. The idea is to reach as members as possible, to encourage them to help immunise the population.
Dr David Staples, chief executive of the UGLE, said: “In 2018, more than 18.5 million hours of volunteer work were undertaken by Freemasons. Now that we have the vaccine in the UK, it is crucial that we help in every way we can to protect the population. If the NHS needs people, then we are happy to encourage and emphasise the importance of this to our members.
“We want to support the NHS and show our gratitude for its people’s efforts and the amazing job they have done during the pandemic. Freemasons always stand behind our core values of friendship, integrity, charity and respect – and we are proud to help so many people.”
According to the NHS, more than six million people had received a vaccine by 28 January. Britain has ordered 140 million vaccine doses – enough to protect the entire population. But the NHS faces a race against time to protect everyone before a possible new wave.
More than ever, efforts to vaccinate those most at risk from serious illness are now paramount, and there is a need to ensure that the NHS has as many volunteers as possible. To help the NHS in the vaccination campaign, volunteers should sign up at: https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk
Volunteers will then receive an email with login details to sign up online and be asked to download the GoodSAM app, which will match the person to their area.
Since January this year, Pilton Equalities Project (PEP) have been using our minibuses to deliver PPE to vaccination centres.
Last week PEP took on an important new role – transporting nurses to administer the vaccine to homebound individuals. We will continue working with the NHS over the coming months to ensure hundreds of vulnerable people are vaccinated against COVID-19.
The City of Edinburgh Council have also been working with us to coordinate the transportation of nurses. We’re really proud of this role.
Thank you and well done to all of our drivers and to our community transport partners at ECTOG who are also providing this valuable service across the city.
NHS Lothian is putting the final preparations in place for NHS Lothian’s only drive-through mass vaccination centre before it goes live this week.
The drive-through centre at Queen Margaret University (QMU) in East Lothian, will become the first of its kind in Lothian when it opens to thousands of patients on Wednesday (Feb 10).
Teams of vaccinators will be able to deliver the life-saving vaccinations to patients while they remain in their own car.
QMU is the third mass vaccination centre to open in Lothian, following the EICC and the Royal Highland Centre. It will initially be capable of vaccinating approximately 720 people per day at 12 stations.
Colin Briggs, Director of Strategic Planning, NHS Lothian, said: “The opening of our third mass vaccination centre and our only drive through is a significant moment for NHS Lothian and for East Lothian.
“A lot of planning has gone into the preparation of the QMU site to ensure that the venue runs as smoothly as possible. It has taken a lot of work, in a short time to get us to this point and I’m really proud of all of the work and effort from all of our teams.
“We have now vaccinated the vast majority of our first priority groups, including frontline health and social care staff; care home staff and residents and people over the age of 80.”
This has been a landmark week for NHS Lothian after it reached the milestone of delivering the vaccine to more than 100,000 people.
Lothian GPs have delivered a quarter (25%) of all vaccines given in surgeries across Scotland and some practices have had a 99% uptake of vaccine in offer in the over 80s.
Mr Briggs added: “We have reached a major milestone this week in the programme, with over 100,000 people vaccinated across Lothian, along with thousands more expected in the coming weeks.
“It is due to the hard work undertaken by our staff and partners that this has been achieved and we thank them for their efforts.
“Our message has been clear from the start – if we wish our lives to return to normal we need to vaccinate as many people as possible. This will help save lives and provide protection to all our communities.
“When you do receive an appointment, we really would urge you to keep it, even if it is at a centre which is not closest to your home. We need to move fast to provide protection to as many people as possible and the easiest way to do that is for people to keep their original appointment where possible.”
People aged between 75-79 and those most clinically vulnerable will continue to be given appointments to be vaccinated by their GP, while those aged between 70-74 and 65 to 69 are now being invited to mass vaccination sites and smaller community venues for their injections, depending on their need.
Sir Paul Grice, Principal of Queen Margaret University, said the university was proud to join forces to help in the battle against COVID-19.
He added: “Throughout our history, the University has been focused on tackling some of the most pressing issues facing society. We are proud to play our part in supporting the biggest mass vaccination programme our country has ever undertaken.”
Paul McGirk, Chief Executive of Hub South East, NHS Lothian’s Development Partner, said: “We are delighted to be working with NHS Lothian in the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccination centres across the region – surely one of the most important infrastructure developments in recent times.
“Our contractor, Morrison Construction, our designers and the rest of our supply chain partners are making excellent progress, pulling out all the stops to ensure that the QMU site is handed over safely, to a high quality and on time for its first patients to receive vaccines this week.
“Following the opening of the EICC Centre last week, and with more set to open in the coming weeks, this has been a fantastic partnership effort by everyone involved. From sourcing appropriate venues, to contract negotiation, design and construction on site, this demonstrates the spectrum of services available through the Hub programme and shows just what can be achieved by working together. Hub South East is delighted to be playing its part in this vital national effort.”
NHS Lothian has been working with councils, health and social care partnerships and other partners in recent weeks.
On February 15, a vaccination centre with 32 stations will be created at Edinburgh Park in the former Royal Bank of Scotland building, followed by another site at the Royal Highland Centre which is expected in March.
Smaller community clinics will deliver vaccinations in the local area for people with complex needs or who, for other reasons, absolutely cannot and would not be expected to travel to a mass centre.
If patients absolutely cannot keep the appointment they have been given, they are being asked to call the COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 to rearrange their appointment. If they are aged 75 and over, they should phone their GP practice to rearrange their appointment.
A total of 786,427 people have now received their first Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination in Scotland, including 93% of over-80s living in the community.
Some 99% of older adult care home residents have received a first dose, along with 89% of staff in older adult care homes. A total of 272,365 frontline health and social care workers have also been vaccinated, exceeding the initial target of 230,000 staff provided by health boards.
This week, following the opening of new mass vaccination centres, including the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and Aberdeen’s P&J LIVE at TECA, there has been a 49% increase in the number of vaccinations carried out compared with the previous week.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Scotland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme is now delivering ahead of our expectations, thanks to the enormous efforts of our vaccination teams. I would like to thank everyone who is working tirelessly to make this a success, and also every individual who has taken up their offer of a vaccine.
“Our aim is to vaccinate as many people as possible with both their first and second doses. The vaccine deployment plan was predicated on an uptake of at least 80% in each cohort – though so far we are significantly exceeding that for care home residents and staff, frontline healthcare staff, and over 80-year-olds in the community. If you are aged over 80 but have not yet received your invite, you should contact your GP surgery so they can assist.
“We hope to see a significant drop in the disease due to the vaccination programme, however this will take a number of months to evaluate fully. In the shorter term, we are monitoring the uptake rate but we also have a comprehensive surveillance system in place to monitor outcome of vaccine efficacy and disease reduction.
“Each health board is working hard to get the vaccine into people’s arms as quickly as possible, and everyone eligible will be offered the vaccine as we work our way through the priority groups.”
People aged 70 and over will get Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines in a range of settings, from community centres to mass vaccination centres, from Monday 1 February as the vaccination programme moves to the next stage.
Those aged 70-79 and the clinically extremely vulnerable – including over-16s on the shielding list – started receiving their invitations on Monday 25 January and subject to supplies, will have received their first dose by mid-February.
Mass vaccination centres, including Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) and Aberdeen’s P&J LIVE at TECA, will be in operation from Monday 1 February for members of the public with appointments.
NHS staff at these centres have been vaccinating each other this week as part of their induction. The EICC will have capacity to vaccinate more than 21,000 people a week at 45 stations. The centre in Aberdeen will start with 20 booths, vaccinating around 6000 people weekly. The Louisa Jordan mass vaccination centre in Glasgow has been operating since 8 December, carrying out 1,000 – 5,000 vaccinations daily. The facility has the capacity to move to 10,000 per day.
The scale of the operations at the mass vaccination centres means letters will also start going out next week in Lothian, Grampian and Greater Glasgow and Clyde to those aged between 65 and 69 – the next group on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation priority list.
Other smaller vaccination centres, located in community facilities such as village halls and sports centres, are also opening as the roll-out continues across the country.
The programme for first doses for care home residents, frontline health and social care workers and those aged 80 and over will be completed by 5 February.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Our vaccination roll-out continues to ramp up as we widen it to groups further down the JCVI priority list and I would like to thank all those involved in setting up the mass vaccination centres in Edinburgh and Aberdeen and, of course, the NHS Lothian and NHS Grampian staff who will be delivering the vaccines.
“It is testament to all those working hard to roll-out the vaccination programme that major logistical operations such as these are up and running despite the current restrictions.
“I would urge everyone to take up their appointment when they are offered one. The vaccination programme is one of three key ways we are working to beat this virus, along with our expanded testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission and the important lockdown restrictions everyone in Scotland must follow. All these measures work to greatest effect when they work together.”
The final preparations were being put in place at the first mass COVID-19 vaccination centres in Lothian yesterday as they prepare to go live.
Vaccination teams will open the doors to centres in Edinburgh and West Lothian on Monday as part of Wave Two of the national vaccination programme.
Thousands of patients are expected to begin streaming through the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) and Strathbrock Partnership Centre in Broxburn, West Lothian, to receive their vital vaccinations next week.
The EICC will be capable of vaccinating more than 21,000 people a week through 45 stations, while Strathbrock will have six stations, capable of vaccinating 2352 people every week. The West Lothian centre will then move to Pyramids Business Park on February 15, which will provide 14,280 vaccinations every week at 34 stations.
David Small, Director of Primary Care Transformation and executive lead for the vaccination programme, NHS Lothian, said: “This is a really exciting and significant moment for all of the teams involved.
“We have been planning, checking and cross-checking to make sure everything will be as safe and as smooth an experience as possible for people on Monday as we embark on the largest vaccination project of its kind.
“It has taken a lot of work, in such a short time to get us to the point where we can begin delivering the lifesaving vaccine to thousands of people across Lothian. I’m really proud of all of the work and effort from all of our teams.
“We have already vaccinated the vast majority of the first groups to be prioritised, including frontline health and social care staff; care home staff and residents and people over the age of 80.
“Nearly 83,000 people have already had their first dose of the vaccine and we are on track to complete that first wave by February 5th.
“It is really straightforward – we need to vaccinate as many people as we possibly can to help save lives and provide protection to help communities get back to normal.
“When patients receive an appointment, we really would urge them to keep it, even if it is at a centre which is not closest to their home. We need to move fast to provide protection to as many people as possible.”
People aged between 75-79 and those most clinically vulnerable will be given appointments to be vaccinated by their GP, while those aged between 70-74 and 65 to 69 will be invited into these mass vaccination sites and smaller community venues for their injections.
A team of around 350 volunteer vaccinators, with a vast array of experience from a huge number of clinical roles in Lothian, has been created to work in the mass vaccination sites. They will be supported by around 100 administrative staff.
Julie-Ann Beveridge, Lead Vaccinator, said: “It’s brilliant to be able to work with such a great team of vaccinators, some of whom are returning doctors and nurses, who have all come together to support the mass vaccination programme.
“The best way out of Coronavirus is through vaccination and we want to help those who are most vulnerable feel like they can start to breathe again. There is a real feeling of camaraderie.”
Sarah MacLeod, Community Vaccination Team Nurse, said: “As a member of the community vaccination team, I normally work with schools but I’m now helping out at the vaccination centres. I’m very proud to be here and to be part of this great programme.”
The EICC team have also been working flat out to transform it into a centre capable of vaccinating thousands each day.
Marshall Dallas, EICC Chief Executive, said: “The EICC is proud to be supporting the NHS, working closely alongside NHS Lothian to put a multitude of measures in place in readiness for the opening of the vaccination centre. We now look forward to facilitating the NHS team in their work to eradicate COVID-19 and the havoc it has caused across our society.”
The centres are the first of a total of 14 to be rolled out across Lothian and will be followed by the Members’ Hall at the Royal Highland Showground next week, which has nine stations.
NHS Lothian has been working with councils, health and social care partnerships and other partners in recent weeks to ensure the sites are ready.
A drive-through vaccination centre will be launched on 10 February at Queen Margaret University in East Lothian. It will have 16 stations and be capable of vaccinating 8,000 people a week.
On February 15, a vaccination centre with 32 stations will be created at Edinburgh Park in the former Royal Bank of Scotland building, followed by another site on the Royal Highland Showground, which has 50 stations and will open in March.
Smaller community clinics will deliver vaccinations in the local area for people with complex needs or who, for other reasons, absolutely cannot and would not be expected to travel to a mass centre.
Community hubs will run in Midlothian Community Hospital and East Lothian Community Hospital as well as health and partnership centres in Sighthill, Pennywell, Craigmillar, Leith and Gracemount in Edinburgh; Strathbrock and Howden in West Lothian.
If patients absolutely cannot keep the appointment they have been given, they are being asked to call the COVID-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 to rearrange their appointment. If they are aged 75 and over, they should phone their GP practice to rearrange their appointment.
Mr Small added: “A vaccination appointment, like any other medical appointment, is considered essential during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
“I would also ask patients to stay safe by following the Scottish Government guidance currently in place, by wearing a mask and maintaining physical distancing as they travel to and from vaccination centres across Lothian.
“Parking will be available around some venues and public transport operators are all following Scottish Government transport guidance for safe travel.
“When you arrive at your appointment, make sure to wear a mask and bring your appointment letter with you to avoid any unnecessary delays.
“The vaccination programme is one of three critical ways we are all working together to beat this virus, along with the testing programme which helps prevent its spread and the rules in place that we all know to follow. These three planks form our route out of this pandemic.”
Lothians MSP Miles Briggs said:“The opening of mass vaccination centre’s at the EICC and Strathbrock Partnership Centre is a turning point in overcoming Covid-19 in Scotland.
“NHS Lothian have been very diligent in their vaccination programme so far. I am confident that Edinburgh and the Lothian’s can lead the way across the country in vaccinating people, once these centres are open.”
Appointments scheduled for next groups on the priority list
Blue envelopes containing an invitation to a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine appointment for people aged 70 -79 will start to land on doormats in several health board areas from tomorrow (Monday 25 January) – but, confusingly, the first batch will be WHITE!
A new booking system is being used by health boards in Lothian, Fife, Forth Valley, Ayrshire & Arran, Greater Glasgow & Clyde and Lanarkshire to schedule appointments for patients in order of priority. More boards are expected to make use of the technology as the vaccination programme expands.
The distinctive coloured envelopes will be delivered to households as the programme progresses though the different groups on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority list. The letters will include information on how to reschedule an appointment if it is not suitable.
We are on track for all those aged over 80 to have received their first dose of the vaccine by the end of the first week in February.
No-one aged 80 or over should expect a blue envelope because they will be contacted directly by phone or letter.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “We all know how easy it is to ignore some of the mail which comes through our letterboxes but these blue envelopes will be very distinctive and they will contain details of your vaccine appointment so please open them.
“The letters are being posted First Class and we have been advised by the Royal Mail that the colour will allow them to prioritise delivery.
“The blue envelopes will contain information about the time and place of your appointment and details on how to reschedule it if you are unable to attend.
“I would urge everyone to take up their appointment when they are offered one.
“The vaccination programme is one of three key ways we are working to beat this virus, along with our expanded testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission and the important lockdown restrictions everyone in Scotland must follow. All these measures work to greatest effect when they work together.”
UPDATE: Sunday 24 January
The first tranche of letters will use NHS branded WHITE envelopes but distinctive coloured blue envelopes are planned to be used as soon as possible as the programme progresses though the different groups on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority list.
The letters will include information on how to reschedule an appointment if it is not suitable.
A new campaign encouraging people to get vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as they are eligible launches today.
The ‘Roll your sleeves up’ campaign will emphasise the importance of the vaccine and its safety, as well as the prioritisation list set out by Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to ensure those most at risk are vaccinated first.
Vaccination will be offered to 4.5 million people in Scotland and is currently underway for residents of care homes for older people and their carers, frontline health and social care workers, and those aged 80 years and over. Local delivery is being led by NHS boards, who will contact those eligible to arrange their vaccination.
Those aged 70 and over and the clinically extremely vulnerable, including those on the shielding list will receive their first vaccine dose by mid-February, those aged over 65 will receive their first doses by the beginning of March, and vaccination of the wider adult population will commence once the remainder of the JCVI priority groups are complete by early May.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Vaccination offers us greater protection against COVID-19 and it offers us hope that this year will be a brighter one.
“It is another vital tool in our work to suppress the virus, but other measures including testing, and lockdown restrictions remain absolutely essential to suppress COVID to the lowest possible level in Scotland.
“These three critical actions will help us protect the NHS and save lives, towards a brighter year ahead. However, we don’t yet know how well vaccination stops people transmitting the virus to others – which is why it’s essential people protect the progress we’ve made, and continue to follow the restrictions currently in place, whether they have been vaccinated or not, while vaccine delivery is rolled out across the country.”
The ‘Roll your sleeves up’ campaign will run from today (21 January) to the end of March 2021 on TV, radio, press, outdoor and digital channels.
Interim Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Dave Caesar said: “No matter which vaccine you receive, each has passed a rigorous three-phase testing process, reviewed by independent regulatory and advisory bodies to ensure it is safe and effective.
“Your local NHS health board will be in touch with you to arrange your vaccination appointment when you are eligible, and I encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible to do so.
“However, vaccination on its own it won’t be enough to win the race against this virus.
“Each one of us needs to do all we can – following the guidance, abiding closely to the restrictions, washing our hands, wearing face coverings, maintaining 2m distance from each other – everything we can to slow down the spread of the virus and suppress its prevalence as low as we can, so that increasing vaccination can do the job we need it to do.
“Doing all of that will help you protect yourself, protect the NHS and save lives.”
The vaccination programme has given us much needed hope against #coronavirus.
But it's vital we stick to the rules.
Dr Nicola Steedman, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, explains more about the vaccines and continuing to follow FACTS ⬇
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.
Residents of homes for older people in Scotland will begin to receive the Pfizer vaccine against the Covid-19 virus from tomorrow (Monday).
After more than 5,000 key NHS workers and vaccinators received the Pfizer vaccine in the first few days of the programme, it is now being extended to include care home staff and residents.
The move has been made possible following confirmation that the Pfizer vaccine can be ‘packed down’ into smaller pack sizes. The vaccine, is received in packs of 195 five dose vials which must be diluted before use, but these can also be transported in an unfrozen state for up to 12 hours, and can be stored undiluted for up to five days.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has given the go ahead for health boards to do this, making it possible to take the vaccine direct to care home residents or to vaccination centres nearby, with minimal wastage.
Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeane Freeman said that care home residents would be prioritised for receipt of the vaccine from current supplies but warned that pace of the vaccine delivery programme remains dependent on the supply of doses.
Ms Freemansaid: “This is another important moment in our journey through the coronavirus pandemic and I am delighted that we have received the authorisation we need to enable us to vaccinate the most vulnerable people in our care homes.
“Officials in the government and our health boards, along with Pfizer, and the MHRA, have worked really hard to allow this to happen and it is another step on the road to our collective recovery and a return to a more normal way of life.
“We are providing the vaccine to people in care homes according to the order of priority set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and we will work through that order of priority as quickly as vaccine supply allows.
“We are hopeful that subject to further stringent approvals, other vaccines may meet MHRA approval for supply – for example, AstraZeneca and Moderna – enabling more vaccinations to take place at a faster rate.”
“In the meantime it remains vital that we all stick to the published restrictions and follow public advice to keep suppressing the virus to as low a level as possible.”
