Vaccine centres to be set up
Three vaccination centres are getting ready to open in Perth and Kinross as part of the next phase of NHS Tayside’s COVID-19 programme.
Work is underway to set up jab hubs at Dewars Centre in Perth, which the PA revealed last month, Blairgowrie Town Hall and Atholl Leisure Centre in Pitlochry.
Local residents aged between 65-69 will be contacted directly by NHS Tayside for a vaccination appointment in one of these community clinics.
The aim is to invite everyone in this age group to an appointment by the middle of February, with invitations starting to go out this week.
Those aged 70-79 or those who were asked to shield will be contacted by their GP and invited to go to their own practice.
A small number may be asked to attend their nearest community venue for their jab.
This age group should also all be invited for vaccination by mid-February.
An official opening date for the vaccine hubs has still to be announced.
Associate director of public health Dr Daniel Chandler said: “These new community vaccination centres will provide extra capacity to support our GPs in delivering the vaccine to the next priority groups across Tayside.
“By opening these local vaccination centres we are upping the pace of the programme and it means we are able to offer vaccinations to those aged 65-69 at an earlier stage than originally planned.
“We have already vaccinated more than 51,000 people in Tayside and this is growing by the day.
“Please remember it takes two-three weeks for the vaccine to provide protection and it is not known whether it stops you spreading the virus to others.
“We all need to continue to stick to the rules and help stop the spread in our communities.”
Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Murray Lyle said: “Perth and Kinross Council is committed to supporting the roll out of the vaccination programme and we are delighted to be able to support the next stage with these new vaccination centres.
“These centres will help residents receive their first vaccinations faster, and protect them from coronavirus.
“People will be contacted directly about when and where they will receive their vaccine and everyone who gets an appointment should take up the opportunity to get vaccinated.
“However, even once that is done they must continue to follow FACTS as they may not receive protection for three weeks and, even if they are, it may still be possible for them to pass the virus on to others.”
As part of the programme, housebound patients will continue to be offered vaccinations in their own home if unable to attend their practice.
Health and social care staff who are covered by these priority groups can also get their vaccination at a staff clinic, if more convenient for them.
Similar venues in Angus and Dundee are also being set up as vaccination hubs as part of the programme.