Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
More than 18,000 given jab in Tayside
MORE than 18,000 people across Tayside have been given a Covid-19 vaccination jab.
According to NHS Tayside, the programme is making “significant progress”, with vaccinations carried out in care homes, hospitals and GP practices across the region.
About 4,000 staff and 3,000 residents in 96 care homes have been vaccinated, along with about 9,000 frontline health and social care staff since December 8.
GP practices across Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross are now offering vaccination to patients aged over 80 with more than 2,000 doses already given.
The aim is to vaccinate everyone in this age group, as well as frontline health and social care staff and care home staff and residents, by the end of January.
Associate director of public health Dr Daniel Chandler said: “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work our way through the priority groups of those who are most at risk from the virus.
“Please do not contact your GP practice to inquire about when you will receive the vaccine as they are currently very busy making arrangements and booking appointments.
“The vaccination programme is a vital step in our fight against Covid19 but it takes two-three weeks for the vaccine to provide protection and it’s not known whether having the vaccine stops you spreading the virus.
“So it is really important for everyone, even if they have been vaccinated, to continue to stick with all the guidance and help stop the spread in our communities.”