WEDNESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY, 2021

Immediate release

One third of Tayside adults receive COVID-19 vaccination

NHS Tayside’s COVID-19 vaccination teams have now delivered jabs to 117,000 people in the first priority groups – a third of the adult population in Tayside.

This means that NHS Tayside is currently the top performing mainland board in Scotland in terms of population vaccinated.

All those aged over 70 and those classed as clinically extremely vulnerable should now have been offered a COVID-19 vaccination. So far, almost 90% of people in Tayside who are 70-79 or are shielding have been vaccinated but there is a small number of patients who our booking teams have not been able to reach.

Anyone in these groups who hasn’t been contacted yet 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.

Our GPs have asked that it’s only patients in the over-70 and shielding groups who get in touch about vaccinations just now as this will help them make sure those most vulnerable get their jab.

Almost 70% of people in Tayside aged 65-69 have also had a vaccination and our booking teams are continuing to contact people in this age group over the coming days to offer them an appointment.

Dr Daniel Chandler, Associate Director of Public Health with NHS Tayside, said, “Our vaccination teams are working extremely hard to deliver this programme and this is reflected in the significant number of people being vaccinated in just 10 weeks.

“Staff are making thousands of calls to book people into appointments every day and I would like to thank everyone who is supporting the programme in GP practices and community clinics across Tayside. We would also like to thank everyone for their patience and ask that people do not contact their GP with enquiries about getting the vaccine unless they are in the over-70 and shielding groups.

“It’s really encouraging to see so many people coming forward for vaccination and we hope this continues as we move through the programme. Getting vaccinated is key to helping us beat the virus so I would urge everyone to get the vaccination when they get the call.

“For those who have been vaccinated, 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.”

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718