First vaccine given to almost two-thirds of adult population in NHS Highland area
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Almost two-thirds of adults in the NHS Highland area have received their first Covid-19 vaccine, the health board has announced.
By Thursday (April 15), a first dose had been given to 171,229 people, or 63.5 per cent of the over-18 population, across the Highlands and Argyll and Bute.
NHS Highland says it has exceeded the target of more than 85 per cent complete for care home residents, frontline workers and people aged over 60, including those who are housebound, and is "well under way for the over-50s". The aim is that all over-50s will have been offered their first vaccination by April 18.
Dr Tim Allison, director of public health at NHS Highland, said: “The effort from our GP colleagues and that of our local vaccination teams is really something to be admired. I am delighted that the vaccination programme is continuing to progress so well.”
Dr Allison explained that different models of vaccine delivery are key in NHS Highland due to its geography and population demographics.
He said: “I’d like to thank the Highland and Argyll and Bute population who have come forward in their thousands to receive their vaccination. However, we have seen a few cases where people have not attended for their appointment as planned so I would like to remind everyone that if you are unable to make your appointment please let us know as soon as you can.”
If you have been invited by staff at your GP practice you can advise them that you are unable to make the appointment.
If you have received a letter detailing when your appointment is, which will arrive in a blue envelope, call the national helpline number outlined in the appointment letter to advise that you are unable to attend. By doing this as soon as you know you are unable to attend there is a greater chance that the health board will be able to have someone else take the appointment.
Dr Allison added: “We have heard from numerous people across our area how delighted they are that the programme has started and how pleased they are to get the vaccine. I really would encourage everyone who is invited to get their vaccine to take up that invitation.”
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