Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, has welcomed the news that the COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out. This follows the announcement from the Scottish Government that all over eighties in Scotland will be vaccinated by the end of January, with local injections beginning on Monday.

Following a change in strategy, the second dose of vaccines will now be administered twelve weeks after the initial dose. All four Chief Medical Officers in the UK believe that this is the most effective way of ensuring that as many vulnerable people as possible receive the first dose to provide them with a layer of protection. An order of priority has been decided by the Joint Vaccinations Committee for who receives the vaccine and when. The priority groups consists of:

1) residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
2) all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
3) all those 75 years of age and over
4) all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
5) all those 65 years of age and over
6) all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
7) all those 60 years of age and over
8) all those 55 years of age and over
9) all those 50 years of age and over

Further information on who to contact with FAQs and information for those who are unable to receive the vaccine can be found here: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine/who-will-be-offered-the-coronavirus-vaccine

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“It is very welcome news that over 80s in our local area will begin to receive their COVID-19 vaccines on Monday. This will come as a huge relief for the many elderly and vulnerable individuals in West Dunbartonshire who have had no choice but to put their lives on hold for almost a whole year.

“This vaccine will reduce the threat that COVID-19 poses to them and will allow for a return to some sense of normality for everyone, once the vaccine programme is rolled out.

“I encourage anyone who is invited to receive a vaccine to take full advantage of this offer in order to protect themselves as much as possible for this awful virus.”