Vaccine supplies have arrived with NHSWI

Residents across the Western Isles should be patient as the vaccination programme gets underway.

In the meantime, everyone is reminded to follow FACTS and the Scottish Government guidance for the Western isles (Protection Level 1) to protect yourselves and others from the virus, as the first eligible groups are prioritised.

All Health Boards in Scotland will be receiving a set amount of vaccine this week and Boards will commence the programme by offering vaccination to the identified priority groups in line with advice received from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Those in the first wave to be vaccinated will be (in no particular order):

Vaccinators, including peer vaccinators

Staff in care homes for older people

Residents in care homes for older people

Long stay hospital inpatients aged over 80

Frontline healthcare staff (based on a risk assessment, taking into account those working in COVID red areas and COVID age).

The vaccination for priority groups as described will be made available throughout the Western Isles.

Appointments for vaccinators, identified frontline healthcare staff and care home staff based in Lewis and Harris will take place in Stornoway from Thursday this week. Those eligible will be contacted directly.

The Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at well below freezing point, meaning logistics around delivery to care homes and to the Uists and Barra require careful planning and coordination. It is anticipated that vaccinations in the Uists and Barra will commence from next week, and vaccinators will also start vaccinating in all care homes across the Western Isles from next week.

The COVID-19 vaccine does not cause COVID-19. It helps to build up your immunity to the virus, so your body will fight it off more easily if it affects you. This can reduce your risk of developing COVID-19 or, if you do get COVID-19, it can make the symptoms milder. The vaccine is also suitable for people with disorders of the immune system. The effectiveness and immune response of the vaccine is being monitored as the vaccine is rolled out.

The vaccine will be given as an injection in the upper arm. During vaccination, strict infection prevention and control measures will be in place. Everyone being vaccinated will need two doses, 28 days apart.

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, said: “Seeing the first delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in our area will be a very welcome sight. While it will be a huge logistical challenge in rolling out vaccinations, this is real progress in global efforts to bring an end to the pandemic.

“I’d urge those eligible in this first wave to take-up the COVID-19 vaccine and for others to please be patient as we work through priority groups in line with the vaccine that we have available to us and the settings in which the vaccine needs to be delivered.

“I would also ask people to keep following the FACTS around coronavirus. There is still a long winter ahead of us so protect yourself, your loved ones and the NHS.”

For further information on the COVID-19 vaccination programme visit:www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines.