Wick medical practice starting vaccine appointments for over-80 age group
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A Wick medical practice is hoping to administer an initial Covid-19 vaccine to most of its patients aged 80-plus over the next two days.
The Pearson Practice at Wick Medical Centre received 260 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Wednesday afternoon and immediately began putting appointment slots in place.
Dr Ewen Pearson said today: “We thought we were going to get 160 on Wednesday and then 100 next Wednesday. They've both come together, which is good because we can get started and do a few more people rather than have to wait until the end of next week.
“We're starting this afternoon [Thursday] and we are hoping to have the majority of our over-80s finished by Friday. Then we'll keep working down through the age groups next week as well.
“As soon as we get the vaccine, we give it – so the more we get, the more we can give.”
Earlier, Dr Pearson had reiterated that there can only be a route back to normal life if as many people as possible accept a Covid-19 jab when it is offered.
He emphasised that there are no serious side-effects from vaccination and said staff were "absolutely 100 per cent ready to go" with the roll-out.
“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.”
NHS Highland said it expected the vaccination programme for the over-80 age group to be completed by early next month.
"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," a spokeswoman said.
"We also expect to have vaccinated 25,000 people working in frontline health and social care roles by February 5."
