40,000 doses of COVID vaccine administered in the Western Isles

40,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered in the Western Isles, as the first round of mass vaccination clinics comes to a close. 

In terms of the current COVID vaccination programme, Uist and Barra had their last mass vaccination clinics on June 26 and 27 and the last mass vaccination clinic in Lewis took place on Friday (July 2). 

Mass vaccination clinics have been held across the Western Isles throughout the COVID vaccination programme, to deliver high numbers of vaccinations. 

NHS Western Isles will continue to deliver vaccinations through smaller clinics in locations across the Western Isles. However, as the majority of eligible adults have now received both first and second doses, clinics will be significantly smaller in size.  

The mass vaccination clinics have been extremely successful in the Western Isles, with the Western Isles being the first area in Scotland to complete the target of inviting all eligible adults for their first dose of vaccine, back in May.  

To date in the Western Isles, more than 91 per cent of eligible adults have received their first dose of the vaccine, and around 85 per cent of those have also received their second dose. That equates to approximately 20,800 first doses and over 19,200 second doses.  

The mass vaccination programme has been a huge team effort from the start of the programme, with significant input and partnership working from a number of agencies, including Her Majesty’s Coastguard Agency, Scottish Fire and Rescue, and Street Pastors. There have also been a number of local organisations and businesses that have supported us with accommodation, including the Caberfeidh, Balivanich Hall, Barra Learning Centre, Lewis Sports Centre, Tarbert Hall, GP Practices, Lochmaddy Hall and Southend Hall.  

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, said: “I am both humbled and hugely grateful for how our communities have pulled together over the past months to ensure the Western Isles COVID vaccination programme was delivered quickly and effectively. Our partners across the Western Isles didn’t hesitate in providing support and our local partners have been present at each and every one of our mass vaccination clinics over a number of months. 

“The clinics simply couldn’t have run without the invaluable input of all the agencies involved, and I would like to thank everyone: from our own staff, our partners who provided instrumental and varied support, local volunteers, and local businesses and organisations; to all the members of the public who attended appointments and all the businesses who donated kind gifts of food and snacks which were hugely appreciated by our teams.  

“We will continue with much smaller clinics across the Western Isles and remind everyone who is eligible for a first dose, or due their second dose, to please attend their appointment. 

“In the meantime, we should all be proud of what has been achieved in the Western Isles and how everyone has come together to keep our communities safe.” 

Pictured are some of the staff and partners who participated in vaccination clinics across the Western Isles.

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