Vaccines now being rolled out to over-80s

Peebles resident Beryl Seal, 89, was vaccinated at Hay Lodge Health Centre yesterday.

NHS Borders says it is aiming to complete the programme in a matter of weeks, performed by a team of community vaccinators comprising of district nurses and local GPs.

Executive lead for the vaccine p rogramme, Nicky Berry, s aid: “We a re really pleased that we are now in a position to commence vaccinating those aged 80 and over.

“I would like to thank all staff who co ntinue to work hard to ensure we are able to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible, including our local GPs and District Nurses for their collaboration in helping us deliver the programme.”

Peebles GP Tim Young said: “We are delighted to have started vaccinating those aged over 80 in our GP practices.

"The ability to vaccinate those who are elderly in the community is a huge step forward.

"We are really keen to get going with this to protect those who are most at risk and vulnerable as quickly as possible.

" The vaccination programme is a huge undertaking which has seen a huge amount of work from many Health and Social Care colleagues that must be recognised and praised.”

Peebles resident, Beryl Seal, who received her vaccine yesterday, said: “I feel so relieved to have received the vaccine today. I had no concerns about getting vaccinated, it wasn’t sore an d was no problem at all.”

The local health authority announced last week that all care home residents and carers had been vaccinated.