Drop-in vaccination centres will help tackle increase in covid cases
Health chiefs target over-40s
Drop- in vaccination centres for people aged 40 and over a re opening in Renfrewshire this week.
Health bosses announced the latest stage in the fight against Covid- 19, as the number of new cases rocket across the local authority area.
Fi g u r e s released yesterday show Renfrewshire is now the worst affected region in Scotland, with 155 covid cases per 100,000 of population.
Now Paisley’s Lagoon Centre is to open a dropin vaccine clinic. Jabs will be offered tomorrow and Wednesday on a first come, first served basis.
On Friday, Barrhead Foundry will also be operating a drop-in centre.
And on Saturday , Johnstone Town Hall and Renfrew Leisure Centre are both open to offer vaccinations.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the sites are aimed at those who are yet to have a first vaccine dose or who have waited over ten weeks for a second jab.
A health board spokesman said: “If you are 40 or over and have not yet had your first dose of vaccine, or have waited more than ten weeks for your second dose of AstraZeneca – in other words, if you had your first dose in March – you can come along to one of the centres and get vaccinated.
“People will be seen on a first come, first served basis and there will be a set capacity each day.
“Future dates will be made available if required and we will use our social media channels to keep you regularly updated about potentially busy periods at each of the centres.”
Health bosses said there is concern about an outbreak of the Indian variant of the virus, which has been accounting for at least half of the new covid cases.
Despite the rise in case numbers there has been no significant increase in the number of people being hospitalised with the virus.
Health experts say this suggests that it is mainly younger people who are contracting it.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf added: “Have a look at where these centres are on the Greater Glasgow NHS website and come along if you meet the criteria.”
The Express recently revealed that 425 people have died of Covid- 19 at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital.
The RAH was at the forefront of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s treatment of covid patients from Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire. The hospital has experienced the third highest number of covid deaths of any hospital in Scotland.
People will be seen on a first come, first served basis and there will be a set capacity