Drifting snow fails to stop uptake of vaccine in Thurso
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Wintry weather conditions at the weekend failed to stop nearly 900 people turn up for their Covid-19 vaccination at the latest clinic held at Thurso High School.
A huge team of NHS staff, volunteers and employees from the Highland Council road team helped make Saturday's clinic for over 65s and those in the 16-64 at risk group run like a military operation.
The snow plough crew from Dounreay also had to step in to help with transport after the vaccine consignment from Raigmore got stuck at Golspie.
Pointing out that they were just one short of 900 patients, Dr Alison Brooks, of the Thurso and Halkirk Medical Practice, said: "It was incredible. Saturday was a real example of Caithness at its best."
This is the second clinic the practice has held at the high school, the first one in January saw 400 people in the over 80 age bracket being vaccinated.
With the weather conditions being so bad people were digging their way out of snow drifts to come and Dr Brooks said that one couple were so determined to get their vaccine that they completed the trip to Thurso even after writing off their car.
"People are so desperate to have this vaccine," she said. "It shows the psychological effect this whole 11 months has had on people – they are just desperate to get out of this."
A total of 15 vaccinators, including volunteers – two paramedics, a retired GP and a consultant from Caithness General Hospital – were in place to deal with the large number of patients arriving.
It was all hands on deck with senior management from the school helping with the parking, and a plentiful supply of marshals directing people to where they needed to go. One patient took in a tray of brownies to help fuel the practice staff.
"We had a car arriving every 30 seconds in the car park – it worked very well," said Dr Brooks.
The clinic captured the interest of the national press with photographer Murdo MacLeod up taking photos all day for the Guardian and Channel 4 has expressed interest in a news programme about the problems involved in delivering the vaccine in rural areas.
To ensure not a single dose was wasted Dr Brooks explained that they were calling people on the day to come have their vaccination. The team worked through until around 7.45pm including the tidying up time at the end.
The practice will continue with its vaccine programme and are just waiting for confirmation about the next delivery. At the large clinics in the games hall they have been using the Pfizer vaccine, while at the surgeries it has generally been the AstraZenaca one.
They will continue to complete those who have been missed in the 16-64 at risk group and the over 65s while moving down to the lower ages.
Dr Brooks explained that the Highlands had opted not to take part in the big mass clinics being set up in the central belt. "Every one of those patients is phoned so they are far more liable to come than getting a letter through the post," she said. "It is definitely the way to go with the GP-run clinics. As soon as the practices get their vaccine, they are delivering it."
Northwest Caithness Highland councillor Matthew Reiss, who helped with some of the behind the scenes liaison work, said: "I think it showed our community at its best.
"My heart sank a bit when I saw the road conditions, I knew from the weather forecast with winds from 45mph that the snow would be blowing hard across the road in some places and the car park at Thurso High School was not in good condition. What made my day was that about 900 got their vaccine."
Paying tribute to the hours the NHS staff put in along with the volunteers and the impressive work carried out by the council crews in clearing the roads, he said: "I take my hat off to them – it was a 10 out of 10 effort."
Meanwhile in Wick, Dr Ewen Pearson, of the Pearson Practice, explained that they had made a good start on vaccinations. By Wednesday they will have received 424 doses and all of those will be given by Friday.
All over 70s have been vaccinated along with patients who are classified as extremely vulnerable. At present the practice does not have enough vaccine to complete the treatment of all the patients in the 65-70 age bracket, but as soon as they get supplies in they will deliver them.
Mr Pearson said: "The uptake has been good. We have not had any patients miss their appointment and only three people have refused. We had some extra doses and phoned people up at short notice – nothing has been wasted."
Commenting on the fact his practice has a total of 2200 patients, he said he was unsure of how allocation was made, with deliveries of the vaccine starting to tail off.
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