Vaccination venues change in Angus as pace of programme ramps up

Community vaccination centres in Angus are being relocated to larger buildings to allow NHS Tayside to carry out more jags.

From Monday the 7th of June Arbroath Community Centre, Reid Hall in Forfar and Montrose Town Hall will host appointments, as will the clinic at Stracathro Hospital.

All blue letters - or texts and emails - for that date onwards will detail which of the venues people are to attend.

NHS Tayside says it's because outpatients appointments are now taking place leaving less space at Arbroath Infirmary, Whitehills Health and Community Care centre and Links Health Centre to carry out first or second doses.

The health board - with the help of Angus Council and Voluntary Action Angus - identified the alternative settings that could host an increased number of vaccinations.

NHS Tayside COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Director Lynne Hamilton said, “There has been a huge amount of work done by colleagues in NHS Tayside, Angus Council and Voluntary Action Angus and I very grateful to everyone who has pulled together to get these venues up and running in such a short space of time.

“Having these larger venues will allow us to accelerate the pace of the vaccination programme and offer more appointments for both first and second doses to help get the people of Tayside vaccinated as early as possible.

“We are working hard to invite those who are due their second doses as quickly as we can so please look out for your letter. If you are at 12 weeks since your first dose and haven’t heard yet please get in touch and we will get you an appointment as soon as possible.”

Angus Council Leader, Councillor David Fairweather said, “Angus Council is delighted to support the setting up and operating of community vaccination centres in the locations specified by the NHS, which will allow for the acceleration of the vaccination programme across Angus. It’s wonderful to see partners from across Tayside and indeed Scotland come together to make this happen.

“What we need now is for everyone who is called forward for either their first or second vaccine to take their appointment and roll up their sleeve.”

Anyone in the first priority groups - over 50s, shielding, those with certain underlying health conditions or unpaid carers - who hasn't had a first vaccine is being asked to contact NHS Tayside.

Meanwhile, Scotland has reached a new vaccine milestone having administered more than five million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, with 3,138,366 first doses and 1,881,214 second doses.

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