More than 75 per cent of people in the NHS Highland area have received their first coronavirus vaccine by June 1
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As of yesterday more than 75 per cent – 198,132 – of people in the NHS Highland area have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Professor Boyd Robertson, the chairman of NHS Highland, has praised all who worked on the vaccination programme across the organisation.
He said: “The scale of the task in delivering the programme across our vast area stretching from Caithness and Sutherland to Kintyre and Helensburgh cannot be overstated but all involved have risen to the challenge magnificently and deserve to be commended.
“They include our GPs and their practice colleagues, our teams of vaccinators, and the support staff working behind the scenes. It has been an impressive display of teamwork, planning and professionalism.
“The first vaccine was administered in December 2020 and we are now fast approaching the 200,000 mark. I would like to thank members of the public from across the North Highlands and Argyll and Bute for the way they have responded to the vaccination offer. It has been heart-warming to see them come forward in their thousands to be vaccinated.”
Dr Moira McKenna, a GP and partner with Dingwall Medical Group where a recently held clinic for the 40-49 age group saw around 750 people receive their first vaccine, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure and an opportunity to make a difference. We usually see patients when they are ill so this has been very welcome and everyone seems genuinely happy to get their vaccine.
“We have had great teamwork across the entire practice as well as fantastic support from the Red Cross volunteers who have helped us on clinic days. We have also had clinical staff from outwith the practice who have stepped in to assist us with vaccinating. It has been great to be part of this.”