Reflecting on six months of Covid vaccine rollout

It is now six months since the vaccination rollout began in Scotland.

Since then, almost 80 per cent of Lanarkshire residents have had their first dose; with more than 53 per cent now having received both doses.

The programme has been a roaring success locally and has allowed businesses across the area to open back up as lockdown restrictions are gradually eased.

Nationwide, three quarters of the adult population in Scotland have received their first jab with half receiving both.

It’s put the country on course to have all over 18s fully vaccinated by the end of July – a reality that will surely bring an even bigger sense of restored normality.

A total of eight vaccination centres are currently in operation across Lanarkshire, with two of these being supercentres, located at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell and the Alastair Mccoist Complex in East Kilbride.

The overall progress in vaccinating Lanarkshire residents has been successful, with the two supercentres having the ability to vaccinate more than 50,000 people each week.

In North Lanarkshire, 78.6 per cent of the population have went for their first jab; with 51.6 per cent now having received both.

Meanwhile, in South Lanarkshire, a total of 81.3 per cent of adult residents have received their first dose of the vaccine.

And 55.7 per cent of people there have received their second dose too.

According to the latest figures, (up until June 8) all adults aged 60 and over in South Lanarkshire have received their first vaccine.

The number of people jagged twice in these age categories is above 93 per cent overall.

Whereas in North Lanarkshire, the only age categories to show 100 per cent having received their first vaccine are 5559; 60-64; and 70-74 year-olds.

However, again with residents aged 60 and over, the percentage of people who have received both doses is over 93 per cent.

In North Lanarkshire, 212,877 residents went for their first dose of the vaccine, and 139,877 people there have been fully vaccinated

In South Lanarkshire, 210,186 people have received their first jab. And 144,032 have received both jabs.

With mass vaccinations now in full motion, Lanarkshire has been able to fully vaccinate the vast majority of its key groups. These include frontline health workers; care home residents and staff; and clinically vulnerable individuals.

Right now, NHS Lanarkshire are currently vaccinating 30-to- 39 year olds and have started to issue appointments to 18 to 29 year olds who have registered on the national system.

The health board are also administering second doses at around eight weeks and have additional appointments for second doses if people want to bring their appointments forward.

Dr Mark Russell, lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Lanarkshire, told us: “We would like to say thank you to everyone who has received their vaccine so far and for those who continue to do so.

“It is also vitally important to attend for both doses as this provides long lasting protection.

“In the six months since the start of the vaccination programme, we have administered more than 700,000 doses. This is thanks to the dedication and continued hard work of our staff.

“This is our best way out of the pandemic and I would encourage everyone to attend for their appointment, when invited.”