#MeetTheVaccinators - relatives of healthcare staff helping the cause
Family members of staff at one Caithness practise have been giving up their free time to help the vaccination process.
Last updated 22nd Jun 2021
A Caithness GP is telling us how relatives of practise staff have been crucial to the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Dr Alison Brooks, from the Thurso and Halkirk Medical practise says loved ones, including her own daughter, have been volunteering at larger clinics at Thurso High School.
We're speaking to Dr Brooks as part of our #MeetTheVaccinators campaign where we shine the light on those who, jab by jab, are putting us on a path to freedom.
Alison's Story
Dr Brooks' daughter, who works as a Biology teacher, has helped out and is planning on doing so again.
She said: "She loved it, she was really glad she could do something.
"In fact, she's going to come up during the summer and help in our next clinic as well."
One of her colleagues has had seven relatives helping out in several ways.
Dr Brooks added: "I think everybody just wanted to to play their role and do what they could for covid.
"We certainly couldn't have done the large scale clinics (without them)
"We couldn't do these big locations without a huge number of volunteers."
Determined patients
She also outlined how staff and patients have been working in tandem to ensure things run as smoothly as possible.
However, due to the weather conditions there have been challenges.
Dr Brooks said: "13th March was horrendous snow, some of the roads were blocked.
"Patients were so determined to get there for their vaccine, that they were going to get there come what may.
"We actually had one couple who wrote their car off on the way to the clinic, but they still made it to the clinic.
"They were so determined to get there they got a lift with somebody else and dealt with the car later."
#MeetTheVaccinators: The stats
Scotland has thousands of vaccinators working all day, everyday to hand out vaccines at 1,100 hubs across the country.
So far, more than 6million jabs have been administered in total, made up of 3.6million first doses and 2.5million second doses.
On Friday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed everyone over the age of 18 will have had a first dose by 18th July and by 12th September - supplies permitting - everyone over the age of 18 will also have had a second dose.
All this week, we're using the hashtag #MeetTheVaccinators to celebrate their achievements and share their stories as we make the push for full vaccination, and the end of lockdown.
What is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for use in the UK on 2 December 2020. Britain was the first country in the world to approve the jab, which offers up to 95% protection against Covid-19. Pfizer is an American pharmaceutical firm while BioNTech is a German biotechnology company. The vaccine is very delicate and has to be stored at -70 degrees, limiting the number of sites that can administer the jab.
What is the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine?
A vaccine developed by Oxford University and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca became the second vaccine approved for UK use on 30 December 2020. This vaccine was considered "the way out" of the pandemic in the UK, thanks to the fact it is easier to store than the Pfizer jab, making it well equipped for mass roll out. GPs and vaccination centres across the country began administering the jab in early January 2021. Under 30's in the U.K. were given the option to choose a different vaccine to this due to small risks of very rare blood clots. Instead, under-30s would typically choose the Pfizer jab or later, the moderna jab.
What is the Moderna vaccine?
The third vaccine approved for UK use on 8 January 2021 was developed by American firm Moderna. 24-year-old Elle Taylor from Wales became the first person in the UK to receive the Moderna jab in April. The Moderna vaccine is similar to the Pfizer jab in how it works but is even easier to roll out as it can be stored at -20 degrees rather than -70.
What is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
The fourth vaccine to be be approved in the UK was Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, released under the name Janssen. Notably, It is also the first single shot vaccine in use during this vaccine rollout.
Who was the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine?
90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first patient in the world to be vaccinated against Covid-19 outside a clinical trial. She received her jab on 8 December 2020 at Coventry's University Hospital. Mrs Keenan, who lives in Coventry, became somewhat of a fashion influencer after the charity t-shirt she wore to her vaccination appointment sold out. Profits went towards buying Christmas presents for hospital patients. The grandmother advised everyone who was offered the vaccine to take it, saying "If I can have it at 90, then you can have it too."
Who was the first person to receive the Oxford vaccine?
Meanwhile, Brian Pinker from Oxford was first to receive the AstraZeneca jab outside of a clinical trial at the age of 82. Mr Pinker, who was vaccinated on 4 January 2021, praised the medical teams administering the vaccine, saying it would allow him to "really look forward" to celebrating his 48th wedding anniversary with wife Shirley later on in the year.
When will I receive the vaccine?
Vaccines were offered according to vulnerability levels. First to be offered the jab were people in care homes and their carers, followed by those over 80 and health and social care workers. People aged 65 and above were next on the priority list and then high-risk adults under the age of 65 followed by moderate risk adults under 65. The vaccine was then rolled out by age group.
How will I know when it's my turn to get vaccinated?
When it is your turn to receive the vaccination, you will be informed by the NHS. You should only attend vaccination sites if you have been told to do so. Vaccines are provided for free by the NHS and they will never ask for bank details. Find out more about vaccine scams here.
What is a vaccine passport?
The Government debate the idea of a vaccine passport as proof of full vaccination required to enter venues like nightclubs. Health Secretary Sajid Javid later "ditched" the idea and ensured clubbers that they no longer need to be double jabbed by the end of September 2021 to get into Nightclubs or big events.
Do I need a booster jab?
Pfizer/BioNTech booster jabs are rolled out as part of the Government's winter covid plan. Shots can be given to people aged 50 and over, those in care homes and frontline health and social care workers. All those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and anyone aged 16 to 65 in an at-risk group for Covid will also be eligible for a jab. There must be at least 6 months between a 2nd vaccine dose and a booster jab.
Oxford jab scientist Sarah Gilbert says booster jabs are "not needed for all" and that they should instead go to countries with low vaccination rates.
Will children be vaccinated?
The government have also made vaccines available to children aged between 12-15 as part of the country's winter Covid plan.
What about five to 11-year-olds getting vaccinated?
All 5 to 11-year-olds in England can now receive a coronavirus jab, following advice from the JCVI and the same decision being made in Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is also expanding their vaccination programme to include the 5-11 age range. It means almost six million children in the UK will be offered the Covid-19 vaccination.