Over a quarter to get jag as roll-out by age continues
All over-18s set to get vaccine by end of July
VACCINES for Covid-19 have been given to more than one quarter of people over 16 in the Glasgow City Council area. New figures show 140,381 individuals – or 26.4% - within the council boundaries have now had a jag.
Under the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board, over 30% of people have received a first dose of the vaccine – a total of 303,829 people.
Health secretary Jeane Freeman has said, supplies permitting, all over 18s will be vaccinated by the end of July.
The roll-out will continue to be based on age, not on employment.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) is now sharing daily updates on the vaccination roll out across the country.
The 30.8% of people over 16 vaccinated under the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board is lower than most other health boards across the country, but higher than NHS Lothian at 28.5%.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway and NHS Shetland are both over 45% while NHS Western Isles has vaccinated more than 48%.
However, the PHS publication warns “areas with higher rates of older or clinically vulnerable people will have more individuals in the highest priority groups”.
The vaccine rollout is following the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
At Friday’s government briefing on Covid-19, the health secretary said once the first phase, for all those 50 and over and those with health conditions, was completed, the rest of the adult population would be vaccinated.
Phase one is planned to end by April 15. Freeman said the JCVI advise age is still the most significant factor and is the “quickest and most effective way”.
She said after all over 50 had been vaccinated, the programme would move to the 40 to 49 age group, followed by 30 to 39 and then 18 to 29-year-olds.
“The JCVI is clear the greatest risk lies with age, not where you work.
“It’s the right thing for this government to follow that well thought through clinical advice.”
Across Scotland, the latest statistics show there were 581 new positive cases recorded. There were 924 people in hospital, down by 43, and 80 patients in intensive care, down by 9. Another 27 deaths were registered of a person who tested positive for Covid-19 in the previous 28 days. The total deaths are now at 7111.
The JCVI is clear the greatest risk lies with age, not where you work
THE Merchants House has gifted Glasgow’s schools a £10,000 donation to help bridge the digital divide. Funds will be used to provide devices and connectivity to families in need across the city and will help narrow digital inequality highlighted by coronavirus and lockdown.
With remote learning the new normal for most pupils since the start of the second lockdown in January, schools have been identifying additional families who would benefit from an iPad or a Chromebook.
These let children access online lessons and resources and keep in touch with their teacher and school.
This is in addition to the accelerated roll out of Glasgow’s digital connected learning strategy with every teacher and pupil in P7-S6 now with their own iPad complete with a bespoke Apple education build.
Lord Dean Alasdair Ronald is delighted that The Merchants House was able to help contribute towards this worthy initiative.
He said: “The Merchants House is delighted to be able to assist the drive to ensure that all youngsters in Glasgow get appropriate home-schooling during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We believe every pupil is entitled to the education they deserve, regardless of their family’s ability to purchase a laptop, iPad or similar device.”
The Lord Provost, councillor Philip Braat, helped secure the donation and welcomes the additional help at such a challenging time for so many of Glasgow’s families.
He added: “This is a very generous donation from The Merchants House, and I know that the money will directly benefit families who are most in need now.
“Our schools and school staff are doing an amazing job during the current lockdown to make sure that our children and young people are supported during this spell of remote learning.
“Everyone should be given the same opportunities to learn and there should be no digital divide that results in pupils missing out on valuable learning and teaching.
“I am delighted to have played a small role in helping to secure the donation.”
Everyone should be given the same opportunities to learn