Nearly a third of people in Ayrshire receive first dose of COVID vaccine
Around 110,000 people have been given it.
Nearly a third of people in Ayrshire have now received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran says 110,700 vaccinations have been delivered locally since the programme began on the 8th of December 2020.
Around half of those have been administered at mass vaccination centres which opened their doors at the start of February.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Deputy Nursing Director Jenny Wilson has been on the ground delivering vaccinations. She says: “Having delivered the first dose of the vaccine to those aged 65 to 79 we are now moving on to the next cohort of residents.
“The feedback from those attending the clinics has been overwhelmingly positive. And so if you receive an appointment to be vaccinated, please make sure you take up the offer.”
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Chief Executive John Burns adds: “This week our focus is on second doses for care home residents in Ayrshire, as well as frontline health and social care staff, as these groups received their first dose earlier in the programme.
"We will now welcome the next priority group to mass vaccination centres from 20 February. Residents of Ayrshire who are in this next group will begin receiving letters inviting them to appointments this week.
The next group according to the JCVI is those aged between 16 and 64 years-old with underlying health conditions, which put them at greater risk of serious illness or death if they catch the virus.
Mr Burns added, “This vaccination programme is quite simply the biggest thing we have ever done and our teams are working tirelessly to deliver it as quickly as possible. I would ask that residents of Ayrshire are patient as we work through the programme.
“Remember that attending a vaccination appointment is an essential reason to leave the house in the current restrictions, and it is heartening to see so many Ayrshire residents coming forward.”
A Traveline COVID-19 specific helpline has been set up to help people attend their appointments. People can call 0141 465 1878 to get advice or visit the website.
SPT are running shuttle buses from Prestwick direct to the Citadel for the dates of the clinics.