VACCINATION SUCCESS IN THE WESTERN ISLES

Everyone eligible for the COVID vaccine in the Western Isles has now been invited for an appointment 

NHS Western Isles is delighted to confirm that everyone eligible for the COVID vaccination in the Western Isles has now been offered a first dose appointment. 

Everyone within the priority groups has either attended a vaccination clinic appointment, has an appointment scheduled to attend, or has been invited by telephone, letter (or both) to make an appointment. 

At present, 86.4 per cent of the eligible adult population in the Western Isles have received a first dose of the vaccine, and 49.3 per cent of those have received both doses of the vaccine. A total of 31,133 doses have been administered (19,860 first doses and 11,273 second doses). 

NHS Western Isles will continue to deliver second dose vaccination clinics across the Islands and there will be availability and opportunity for those who have not yet had their first dose (for example those who have returned home from the mainland or from abroad), to contact us for an appointment at a time and location suitable for a first dose of the vaccine.  

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive Gordon Jamieson said: “As we reach this important stage in this unprecedented mass vaccination programme, the most important point to stress is the enormous team effort this has been, between our own staff, partner organisations, volunteers and local businesses throughout our islands. Without the incredible team working and pulling together as communities, we would not have achieved such wonderful success with the vaccination programme.  

“We have tried to make clinics as accessible to everyone as possible, offering appointments in a variety of locations, on different days of the week and at different times of the day, and the public response has been nothing short of astounding.  

“The willingness in which members of our local communities have come forward for vaccination, to protect both themselves and others, has been commendable and we are hugely thankful to everyone who has come forward and attended for their vaccination. Everyone has, and continues to play a vital part in protecting our islands during this Pandemic, and as a Health Board we are proud beyond words of what we have achieved together as a Western Isles community. Thank you everyone and please stay safe.”