Young people self-isolating to blame for low vaccination take up in Dundee
The city has the worst rates of under 30s responding to the call to get a coronavirus vaccination.
Last updated 21st Jul 2021
NHS Tayside says a high number of young adults self-isolating in the last month in Dundee is one of the main reasons behind a low take-up of vaccinations.
More than 4 in 10 of 18 to 29-year-old's didn't respond to the call to get jagged. That's compared to around 70% of adults in that age group who have come forward across the country.
It prompted Scotland's Health Secretary Humza Yousaf to express concern at the low vaccine uptake among young people.
But it's now thought that the low uptake numbers in the City of Discovery are down to the high numbers of cases, as anyone who tests positive for the virus must wait 28 days before attending their vaccination appointment.
In June, Tayside was named Europe's coronavirus hotspot according to figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO), with the highest number of cases per 100,000 in the continent.
At that time, NHS Tayside also warned that there were increasing numbers of younger people needing hospital treatment for coronavirus.
Due to the high number of reported cases in Dundee forcing many young people to self-isolate, it's suspected there's a vast number of 18-29 year olds who can't attend appointments due to the 28-day rule.
NHS Tayside is keeping drop in vaccination centres open until at least the middle of next month - in an effort boost take-up.
Where can I go to get my vaccine in Tayside?
Director of Public Health Dr Emma Fletcher said, “Thankfully, we are starting to see a slow decrease in the extremely high number of cases we have had in Tayside over the past few weeks, but we are not out of the woods yet.
“As we all get back to enjoying more of the things we have missed during the pandemic, it is important to ensure that we keep following the guidance around self-isolation, testing, face coverings and limits on household contacts.
“Please also make the most of this fantastic weather we’ve been having recently and meet outdoors whenever possible. If meeting indoors, please keep windows open and maintain distancing between households in public places.
“There are still a lot of people needing treatment for COVID in the community and hospital and unfortunately people are still dying from this virus. We are also seeing younger people with COVID in Ninewells, including in our critical care unit.
“Getting both doses of the vaccine offers maximum protection against COVID-19. If you are over 18 and have not yet had your first jab, or it has been more than eight weeks since your first jab, please come forward as soon as you can to your nearest clinic and we will get you vaccinated.
“We know that many people currently have or have recently had COVID-19, or may be self-isolating as a close contact, and therefore can’t get vaccinated right now.
“Please don’t worry, we will continue running our drop-in clinics and offering appointments over the coming weeks to ensure that you can get your vaccine as soon as possible after your period of self-isolation.
"If you have COVID-19 you can attend 28 days after testing positive. If you have been identified as a close contact of a positive case, have completed the 10 day self-isolation period and not tested positive, you can attend for your jab on the 11th day.”