Aim to vaccinate all Tayside over 80s by end of month

NHS Tayside is aiming to vaccinate all over 80s in its health board area by the end of this month.

It comes after the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine has been rolled out to GP practices across the area over the past couple of weeks.

Around 1800 people were expected to be vaccinated in the first seven days of the programme.

Nineteen practices across Perth and Kinross, Dundee and Angus have been offering vaccinations to patients aged over 80, with more GPs in Tayside set to join them from this week as more supplies become available.

Tayside is one of the first areas in the UK to offer COVID-19 vaccination in GP surgeries.

Those who are eligible will be contacted directly by their GP practice when it is time for them to be vaccinated.

Associate director of public health Dr Daniel Chandler said:“The efforts of our vaccination teams have been amazing and it is testament to a real whole team approach that sees the first over 80s in the general population have their jabs in Tayside.

“The availability and mobility of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine gives us the opportunity to start to roll out the biggest vaccine programme that the UK has ever seen across our communities.

“Over 80s are the first priority group and patients will be contacted directly to attend a vaccination session.

“We know that people are eager to get vaccinated and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we work our way through the priority groups of those who are most at risk from the virus.

“Please do not contact your GP practice to enquire about when you will receive the vaccine as they are currently very busy making arrangements and booking appointments.

“The community roll-out of the vaccination marks an important next phase in our response to COVID-19.

“It will act to suppress the virus in our communities to protect those who are most vulnerable, but the plea from all of us in the NHS is keep sticking with all the guidance.”