100 over-80s get Covid jab in Callander
‘A wee bit of a relief to get it’
Residents in Callander who are eligible for the coronavirus vaccine began receiving their first dose this week.
One hundred patients of Callander Medical Practice aged over 80 received their jab at a clinic on Wednesday.
The surgery received its first 100 doses of the vaccine, all of which were administered on the day.
Patients who had received their appointment made their way to the clinic at Callander Kirk Hall – with 100 per cent of those with appointments attending.
Staff from the practice worked from 8am until 5pm delivering the vaccine to grateful patients.
Practice manager, Karen Brown, said: “We received our first 100 vaccines, with another 100 expected for our clinic on Friday.
“Supply numbers are lower than we had hoped and we are unsure of how this will work moving forward.
“So far we have had 100 per cent attendance and our patients all seem extremely grateful for the phone call. We have used the full quota of 100 vaccines today (Wednesday).
“Our clinics will be in the Kirk Hall strictly by appointment. We will be working through the categories of those eligible in accordance with the current guidelines. Housebound patients will be vaccinated by the community nursing team as vaccine supplies become available.
“Patients are being asked to arrive on time, wearing a face covering and sanitise their hands on arrival. They are asked some basic health questions then moved through the hall to the clinicians to have their vaccine. They then leave by a separate entrance to provide a safe one-way system.
“Today’s clinic has been great, although emotional for both the patients and staff. We’ve tried to make it fun with music and some dancing – mostly to keep warm.”
Patients in the over 80 category were contacted alphabetically – with 289 people in that category in total. The remaining patients who qualify for the jab will be contacted by practice staff as soon as more doses become available.
Patients are being urged not to contact the practice by telephone about their jab. Staff there will make the rounds, contacting patients to arrange an appointment.
One of the patients who received the vaccine at Wednesday’s clinic was 85-year-old Andy Anderson.
Mr Anderson knows only too well of the dangers of the virus. His wife tested positive for Covid, making a recovery, before she sadly passed away nine months ago, non-covid related.
Following his jab, Mr Anderson told the Observer: “It was great. The staff couldn’t have done anything better. They treated me like a king and they all cheered and applauded as I came in to get it.
“I’m pleased to get it. It’s a wee bit of a relief.”
Mr Anderson served as the town’s undertaker for 44 years, setting up Andrew Anderson & Sons Funeral Directors. He retired at the age of 79.