The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Military help with jabs urged by council leader
The leader of Angus Council has called for the military to be brought in to deliver more Covid-19 vaccinations amid concerns Scotland is falling behind other parts of the United Kingdom.
David Fairweather says people are losing confidence in the roll-out and he fears the country will fall far short of its target of 560,000 vaccinations by the end of this month.
The independent councillor has written to the Scottish Government seeking assurances the programme will be speeded up.
He said: “The military are sitting on our doorstep. We have 45 Commando Royal Marines in Arbroath; why aren’t they being used? They have been used to great effect down south as I understand it.
“We could also use other people who want to be volunteers to get these vaccinations done as quick as possible.”
He insisted he had full confidence in the NHS and other agencies, including council workers, who are co-ordinating the effort but feared vaccination targets would not be met.
The latest statistics available are for up to January 14 and show differences in the rate of the roll-out in each UK nation.
In England 2.76 million people (4.92%) have been given the first dose.
This is compared to 224,840 (4.12%) in Scotland.
In Northern Ireland, the figure is 114,567 (6.05%) and in Wales 126,375 (4.01%).
So far the latest data, released weekly for health boards, shows 15,863 (4.53%) of people in Tayside and 11,114 (3.60%) in Fife have been vaccinated.
NHS Tayside says it expects to vaccinate all frontline and patientfacing staff by the end of this month, with 11,000 completed so far.
Residents in care homes for older adults and their carers, people aged 80 and over, and frontline health and social care workers are first in the queue.
Mr Fairweather says in his letter: “At present, published Scottish Government figures show that about 12,500 people are being vaccinated daily in Scotland.
“If this rate continues until 31st January (including vaccinating over the weekends) we shall achieve 225,000 people being vaccinated by 31st January.
“This compares with the government’s stated target of vaccinating 560,000 by 31st January.
“In other words, the daily rate of vaccinations needs to be doubled immediately just to meet your own target,” Mr Fairweather added.
The Scottish Government have been approached for comment.