One million Scots to be vaccinated by January
Glimmer of hope once new Covid drugs are approved
ONE million Scots are to be vaccinated against Covid by the end of January. Health Secretary Jeane Freeman hailed the jab programme as “bringing hope”.
A MILLION Scots will be vaccinated by January in a national fightback against deadly coronavirus if a range of new drugs are given the green light.
Frontline NHS and care home workers will be first in line when life-saving vaccines currently at an advanced testing stage are approved for human use.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman set out the timeline in a statement, which gave a glimmer of optimism just as parts of the country head into the toughest lockdown since March.
Freeman said the vaccination programme will be among the “biggest civilian logistical challenges in our lifetime”.
The first wave of vaccine distribution, from December to February, will go to frontline health and social care staff, older residents in care homes, care home staff, the over-80s, unpaid carers and the people who are carrying out the vaccinations.
Everyone in that category will be contacted in December and January. Attention will then turn to over-65s and people under 65 at additional clinical risk.
Then the general population will be vaccinated, Freeman told Parliament – about 4.4million people over the age of 18. About 2000 people and support staff will be needed to make the scheme possible by the end of January, by which time a million Scots are expected to be vaccinated.
The details were welcomed by MSPs but there are still gaps in the plan, not least the lack of a formally licensed vaccine.
Drugs are progressing quickly through the stages needed for use, with strong results of effectiveness in trials so far.
Freeman said: “A safe and effective vaccine does bring hope. It gives us all encouragement that where we are now, will end.
“But right now, we have to all keep following the necessary restrictions – tough though I know they are, keep washing our hands, wearing face coverings, keeping two metres distance.
“That’s how we protect ourselves, our loved ones and our NHS, as science itself brings us hope.”
Breakthroughs in recent days have brought hope to people all over the world after nearly a year of crisis. D rug companies Pfizer and Moderna announced trials with over 90 perpe cent effectiveness. They are two of 12 vaccines going through the relevant stages around the world, including in Scotland. Pfizer’s drug has to be stored ata ultra- low temperatures which pose problems for transport. Freeman saids safety has to come first despited the hope to get moving quickly. When a date is confirmed, the vaccine will be delivered by a national workforce after training.
The NHS will lead delivery, helped by local authorities and probably with Army support, particularly for transport.
It’s hoped vulnerable people will not have to travel but Freeman was unable to rule out gaps in some rural villages where residents will have to go to a neighbouring town. A mix of fixed and mobile vaccination centres will be organised.
It is a big undertaking which will need nurses and doctors to
oversee and carry out the p ro g ramme. De n t i s t s , pharmacists and optometrists might be brought in to help.
An agreement has been reached with the British Medical Association on terms and conditions for GPs to take part.
Freeman said: “Scotland has an excellent track record on vaccinations, but this is to be one of the biggest civilian logistical challenges in our lifetime.
“So we have strengthened our NHS planning teams, engaging with local authorities, local resilience partnerships, and the military.
“We know from the beginning of the pandemic, when the military assisted in the delivery of NHS Louisa Jordan, and the deployment of testing sites, that they bring real value to support our efforts.”
It is still not clear which vaccines will be properly approved for use and exactly when they will arrive. There are also gaps in knowing how drugs respond to transportation.
It’s not known if the Pfizer vaccine, for example, stops people getting the virus or passing it on, or whether it totally prevents serious harm.
Freeman said the first vaccine will require two doses, three to four weeks apart. Booster doses and an annual programme might be needed.
The Health Secretary said: “For now, the important thing is that, when we start to deliver these first vaccines, it will be on the basis that they offer some form of protection, even if we don’t at this stage know exactly how much protection that is. And it will be safe.
“So when we get in touch with you, please go for the vaccine. It offers you a level of protection we don’t have through any other means.
“If you’re not in the first group called, please be patient. I know you will understand how important it is that we protect first those most vulnerable to serious illness and death.”
Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said: “It’s extremely encouraging to hear the Scottish Government is committed to rolling out Covid-19 vaccinations as soon as they arrive in Scotland.
“The workforce will be crucial to this work getting under way safely and quickly.
“However, lessons must be learned from the chaotic flu vaccination programme.
“The ambition to deliver one million vaccinations by the end of January needs to be matched by resources and investment in staff, and a clear plan on logistics.”