Taking vaccine is the only way to get back to normal life, says Wick doctor
A Caithness GP has reiterated that there can only be a return to normal life if as many people as possible accept a Covid-19 vaccine when it is offered.
Dr Ewen Pearson, of the Pearson Practice in Wick, emphasised that there are no serious side-effects from the jab and said staff were "absolutely 100 per cent ready to go" with the roll-out.
He was speaking today after health bosses in the Highlands said they expect the vaccination programme of the over-80 age group to be completed by early next month.
“Everyone should get this vaccine," Dr Pearson said.
"I've had my vaccine and had no ill-effects and the only real way to get back to normal, and go back to our old way of life, going on holidays and things like that, is we need as many people as possible to take the vaccine. There are no major side-effects with it.”

The Pearson Practice was today awaiting its first delivery of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
“If we get our vaccine delivery today we'll start tomorrow," Dr Pearson said.
“We're all ready to go, we've got the appointment slots booked, the admin team are champing at the bit to get going, but we don't want to phone up people to book appointments and then have to cancel them if we don't get vaccine supplies.
“We're very aware that people are anxious to come and get this done.
“In our computer system we've got our templates all set up and the nursing staff have done extra training. We've actually had a physio who has volunteered to help as well, and she has done all the extra training.
“Everything is in place, we are absolutely 100 per cent ready to go."
The neighbouring Riverview practice has already begun delivering vaccines, with some patients having been given appointments last Saturday.
Dr Pearson said: “Riverview has been using the Pfizer vaccine, which is a lot more complicated with the ultra-low temperatures and the monitoring requirements for 15 minutes, but the AstraZeneca vaccine is pretty much like the flu – it's normal temperatures and people just need a five-minute appointment. Logistically it's actually easier once we get it.
“The first group is the over-80s. We also have to make sure that all the practice staff have had theirs, so that the people who are giving the vaccines are protected. We just work down the risk groups according to the Scottish Government guidelines.
“In our first group we are wanting to vaccinate 187 patients and we're supposed to get 160 vaccines today. If the uptake is as high as it has been in other areas, 96 to 98 per cent, we'll then be waiting on our next delivery, which is supposed to be next Wednesday when we're supposed to get 100 more vaccines.
“We're going to use the AstraZeneca vaccine all the time.”
Dr Pearson advised patients to be on their guard against any vaccine-related scams that may be circulating.
“We're getting in touch with people when we have the vaccine," he said. "We're not asking for any bank details or any of these things. For our patients it will be people that they know phoning them. It'll be Pat or Sheila or Janet, folk that they speak to when they order their prescriptions.
“If they're getting funny scams or emails or calls from people they don't know, they should just ignore it.
“They know the staff and I think it's one of the benefits in our local community where everyone knows everyone. We're trying to build on these relationships and not let crooks or scammers take advantage.”
There is no need for patients to get in touch – the practice will contact them about appointment times.
“We will let people know when we have the vaccines,” Dr Pearson said. “We're ready to go and we will get it done as quickly as possible.
“We're thinking that if we get the vaccine on Wednesday the over-80s will be vaccinated on Thursday/Friday – we really are trying to do it as quickly as we can.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Highland said the programme was going well.
"Vaccinations in our care homes were completed on January 20, aside from those that have outbreaks, and we are on course to complete vaccinations for those over 80 by February 5," she said.
"We also expect to have vaccinated 25,000 people working in frontline health and social care roles by February 5.
"This is a huge undertaking to deliver this programme across a large and challenging geography and huge thanks must be given to everyone who has been involved in this."
She said the vaccination programme had been opened for those in key priority groups such as NHS Highland frontline staff.
"To ensure we are not wasting vaccine, our vaccinators also have a standby list of people they can call if there is leftover vaccine at the end of a clinic," she added.
"This is rare but on the occasion that it happens, rather than waste the vaccine dose, it will be given to an available member of staff who may be lower on the priority list."
Meanwhile, NHS Highland has updated its guidance on face coverings and masks.
The organisation is now asking that staff, patients and visitors in all hospital and care settings use provided fluid resistant surgical masks (FRSMs) instead of face coverings.