NHS Tayside moves to next phase of vaccination roll out

PEOPLE with underlying health conditions and unpaid carers have begun to receive their Covid-19 vaccination as NHS Tayside moves into the next phase of the programme.

Almost 135,000 people have now been vaccinated in Tayside, which is about 38% of the area’s adult population, making NHS Tayside one of the top performing boards in Scotland.

The next group to be invited for vaccination are those aged 16-64, with underlying health conditions, and adult unpaid carers.

As one of the largest groups on the priority list it may take several weeks to complete invitations for the whole group and those eligible are asked to be patient.

The group will include people who have conditions such as diabetes, dementia, severe asthma or COPD, certain cancers, or liver or kidney disease.

It also includes those who have had an organ transplant, a stroke, have a learning disability, a BMI of more than 40, or are severely mentally ill.

Adults who provide unpaid face-to-face care for someone else due to a disability, ill-health, frailty or addiction issues are also in this group.

Those eligible will be called directly by their GP practice or the NHS Tayside booking teams to offer an appointment.

They will not receive a letter through the national appointment system.

Most people will be called from a local

NHS Tayside phone number. However, occasionally it may show up as a private or mobile phone number and people are asked to answer their phones if they can.

The first to be invited are people who have conditions which are included on both the priority list and the at-risk flu vaccination list.

Although there is some overlap, the two lists are not exactly the same.

Also, unpaid carers who receive carers’ benefits or who have been identified by GPs will also be invited in the first stage.

Anyone who identifies as a carer but does not receive carers benefits, and who is not registered as a carer with their GP practice, will be invited to register at a later date using a national system.

This is in line with arrangements across all of Scotland.

Meanwhile, all those aged over 70 and those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable (shielding) should now have been offered a Covid-19 vaccination.

Anyone aged 70-79 or who is shielding who hasn’t been contacted should now call their GP who will either offer an appointment in their own practice or will ensure they get vaccinated at their local community vaccination centre.

Anyone aged 65-69 who hasn’t been contacted should email tay. c19vaxlocalenquiries@nhs.scot or call 01382 423108.

This is currently only for people aged 65-69, and those outwith this age band are asked not to call.