Vaccine effort steps up

Hawick Town Hall, one of the new vaccination centres.

All people aged 80 and over on the local authority’s lists have now been offered a vaccination.

In line with the national roll-out plan in Scotland, wave two – which includes all Borderers aged 65 and over – has also begun, with NHS Borders aiming to have offered the vaccination to the 24,000 people in that wave by Monday, February 15.

Nicky Berry, director of nursing and operations, said: “We are working incredibly hard to vaccinate as many people who are eligible in wave two as quickly as possible and also administer second doses to those from wave one, in line with the national roll-out plan.

"In addition, our team are preparing for wave three, which will start in the coming weeks.

"This is a huge undertaking with extremely challenging timescales, and we therefore ask the public to remain patient. It is important that people are aware that there will be variation throughout the Borders as practices and venues receive vaccine supplies and administer them to their local community.”

Vaccinations for wave two are being delivered in GP practices and some community venues. People who are eligible will be contacted to book their appointment, and will be advised of the venue by letter.

Wave three will commence mid-February and will run to early May.

In this wave, the following groups will be eligible: all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality; unpaid carers, including all adult carers and young carers aged 16 to 18; and all those aged 60 and over, 55 years and over and 50 and over.

NHS Borders will be delivering vaccinations in wave 3 at various locations, including the Queen’s Leisure Centre in Galashiels; Gytes Leisure Centre in Peebles; Hawick Town Hall and Springwood Park in Kelso.

A spokesperson for the health authority said: “We have worked with Scottish Borders Council to select these venues based on population size and demographic to ensure that those eligible are able to access their appointment when it is their turn.”