Joint release with NHS Highland

The Chair of NHS Highland and Leader of The Highland Council are thanking staff in both organisations for their continued support and approach to the fight against coronavirus across the region.

Board Members and Council Leaders have been updated by senior Council and NHS officers on the partnership approach to the roll out of the vaccination programme and both organisations’ preparations to deal with the new virus strain and second coronavirus wave being experienced.
 
Over 9,000 first dose vaccinations have been carried out across the NHS Highland area. This includes care home residents and staff, staff who are working directly with COVID or suspected COVID patients, GPs and vaccinators. This figure does not yet include the work being deployed through General Practice.

GPs started to vaccinate on 11 January using the AstraZeneca vaccine, with a focus on the priority group of over 80 years old. Over 30 practices currently have vaccinations scheduled, with more to be added. This first priority group are due to be completed by 06 February 2021. We will then move through the other priority groups as set out nationally before moving to the wider population. If you are due to be vaccinated you will be contacted directly.
 
Professor Boyd Robertson, Chair of NHS Highland, said, "Looking ahead, we expect to have finished first vaccinations in care homes by next week and over 80s and frontline health and care workers by early February. This represents around 30,000 vaccinations, so requires a considerable escalation in our delivery, which we are confident we can fulfil, with the help of the Council and other partners, as vaccine supplies increase."
 
Highland Council Leader, Cllr Margaret Davidson added: “The Highland Council is working closely with NHS Highland to support the vaccination programme across the region. The Council is actively looking at how we can support with access to buildings for vaccinations, fleet support, prioritising staff resource for key tasks and other practical support for our NHS partners to help make getting vaccinated easier.  If more assistance is needed locally in vaccination centres or in helping people get to and from their appointment, we will contact those groups already offering their help to us. They have been amazing in the response they have provided already and we are very grateful to them.

“The Council’s property team is working hard with partners such as High Life Highland to ensure that community vaccination centres are made available.

“Our thanks go out to staff for their continued hard work and support in these increasingly difficult COVID times.”