The NHS Tayside vaccination programme is continuing at pace with uptake for COVID boosters amongst the highest in Scotland.
Vaccinations teams are delivering more than 600,000 COVID and flu vaccinations between September and December, in community vaccination centres, hospitals, GP surgeries, care homes and patient’s homes. That's an average of around 40,000 vaccinations per week across Tayside.
So far around 93,000 COVID boosters, or third doses for those who are severely immunosuppressed, have been delivered in Tayside. This is around 46% of those aged over 50, which is significantly higher than the Scottish average of 35%, and 27% of over-18s, compared to 20% across Scotland. This puts NHS Tayside second of the mainland Boards.
The teams have also given 95,000 flu vaccines to those in at-risk groups so far and are on track to offer everyone who is eligible their COVID booster and flu vaccinations by mid-December as planned. This is in addition to continuing to offer drop-in sessions for first and second COVID vaccinations.
NHS Tayside Public Health Vaccination Programme Director Lynne Hamilton said, “Vaccination staff have been working exceptionally hard over the past year to ensure people get their flu and COVID vaccinations and I’m really proud of their commitment and dedication during such a busy and challenging time for us all.
“It is truly humbling to see the extra mile all staff have, and continue to go, to protect our local population and I can’t personally thank all the teams and individuals involved enough.
“Our teams have delivered more than 815,000 vaccinations since the beginning of the programme in December 2020.This includes first, second and third doses and boosters COVID jabs and flu jabs and really highlights the unprecedented scale of work undertaken in the last 12 months.
“We are continuing to make great progress with the priority groups and are now vaccinating those aged 60-69 and over-16s with a health condition. Letters will continue to be delivered for those eligible over the coming days so please don’t worry if you haven’t had an invite yet.
“Those aged 50-59, unpaid carers, and people who live with someone who is immunosuppressed will soon be able to book their appointments online and we will share more information about this shortly.
“We have had fantastic support from the public so far and we really do appreciate their patience as we work through such a large and complex vaccination programme.”
For more information on the vaccination programme in Tayside, including drop-in clinics for first and second COVID vaccines, please visit www.vaccinationtayside.scot.nhs.uk or @NHSTayside on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.