Vaccination success as Arran Covid cases stay low
Arran has seen less than five positive Covid-19 cases since January, health chiefs on the island have confirmed.
And the vaccination programme has been a success so far.
Arran High School gym has regularly been converted into a make-shift health centre to accommodate the administering of the jabs.
Arran clinical lead Dr Greg Hamill, of North Ayrshire health and social care partnership, told the Banner: ‘We have now offered vaccines to those aged over 50 years, those identified in the higher risk groups aged between 16-50 years old and health and social care staff.
‘Planning continues for the delivery of the second doses of vaccine and to prepare for the next phases of vaccination in younger age groups. It is important Arran residents continue to make use of the testing facilities available to them and to continue to follow the FACTS guidance to help protect our communities from the spread of the virus - even after vaccination. Thank you to everyone involved across the health and social care partnership and community and to everyone who has taken up the offer of a vaccine.’
Heath secretary Jeane Freeman said in a statement this week: ‘We have always said delivery of the vaccination programme is subject to supply and on that basis I am confident we remain on target to offer a first vaccination to all those in the phase one priority groups by the middle of April and the remainder of the adult population by the end of July.
The roll-out continues to deliver at pace, which is down to the enormous efforts of our vaccination teams. I would like to thank everyone who is working tirelessly to make this a success. When you are offered the vaccine please take up the invitation. The vaccination programme is one of three key ways we are working to beat this virus, along with our expanded testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission and the important lockdown restrictions everyone in Scotland must follow. All these measures work to greatest effect when they work together.’
Anyone aged 65 or over who has not yet been invited for their vaccine should visit nhsinform.scot for further advice or call the national helpline on 08000 308013.