The Vaccination Programme across Scotland is moving to the next priority groups with those over 60 in Tayside seeing the arrival of their appointments in blue envelopes this week. Those aged 50 to 60 in Tayside should get ready to receive their appointment over the next few weeks.
Everyone in the 60 to 64 age group in Tayside will be invited for their vaccination from this week, with their invitations coming in the form of a letter from the national vaccination programme in a distinctive blue envelope.
The invitation will provide the location, date and time of the vaccination appointment plus instructions on how to change the appointment if necessary. There are also details for the national vaccination helpline if people have any queries.
Everyone in these age groups will get their vaccination at community vaccination centres. With more than 55,000 people in these next age groups in line for the vaccine, invitations will be coming out over the coming weeks with everyone getting their first jab by the middle of April.
Lynne Hamilton, Public Health Immunisation Programme Director with NHS Tayside, said, “We are delighted to move on to the national system and see the first blue envelopes arrive in Tayside. The Tayside vaccination teams are geared up to deliver the vaccine to everyone eligible and our message to the public is to get the vaccination when you are offered it and to please be patient.”
Over 169,000 vaccinations have now been delivered in Tayside including over 10,000 second doses, which is 48% of the eligible population and this latest move to reach 50 to 64-year-olds means many groups will be called for vaccination at the same time.
Dr Daniel Chandler, Associate Director of Public Health with NHS Tayside, said, “Everyone eligible in these groups will get a vaccination by the middle of April, so if you hear about someone who is younger getting a vaccination before you then do not worry. You will not have been forgotten about. It’s just that the pace of the vaccination programme is increasing so quickly now that different groups are being brought forward together in one bigger group.
“Vaccinations will be carried out in the special vaccination clinics and venues which have been set up in the community across Tayside.
“As more and more people are vaccinated – and the COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease – I just need to take this opportunity to remind everyone that we can’t let our guard down.
“Everyone has helped us to get to the point where we are today with infection rates reducing but please keep following the FACTS guidance, make sure you’re still complying with the rules of lockdown and please, please stick with it Tayside.”