NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and its six partner Local Authorities (East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire) have today announced their planned sites for COVID-19 community vaccination centres across the region.
Following the success of the initial vaccination programme for staff at NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital, and eight hospital sites, these centres will support the next phases of the vaccination programme. The locations for the 15 additional centres are revealed today. In East Dunbartonshire the local centres are Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre and the Allander Leisure Centre in Bearsden.
Situated in the heart of local communities, the 16 sites will enable members of the public to receive their vaccination safely and conveniently in line with Scottish Government guidance. In East Dunbartonshire, there are two sites, Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre and the Allander Leisure Centre in Bearsden.
These centres are in addition to the ongoing arrangements involving local GPs who are currently vaccinating people over 80 years old at Kirkintilloch Town Hall and Milngavie Town Hall.
Dr Linda de Caestecker, Director of Public Health, said the announcement was a major step forward.
“After the progress we have made in vaccinating residents and staff in care homes and our frontline NHS and social care workers, this is another piece of good news in the fight against COVID-19,” she said.
“The mass vaccination centres will allow us to vaccinate significant numbers of people, as soon as supplies are received, whilst observing social distancing.
“We would like to thank all of our staff for their ongoing commitment to the programme. In addition, we would like to thank our local authority colleagues and HM Armed Forces for their support with this endeavour.”
Joint Council Leader Vaughan Moody said, “The Council has been working closely with the NHS and army support team to establish these key local vaccination centres. Vaccination is a key aspect of managing COVID-19 in our communities and once again we are responding to ensure that local facilities are adapted and available in the fight against the pandemic.”
Joint Council Leader Andrew Polson added, “Significant work is well underway to ensure that our local vaccination centres are ready for the wider roll out of the mass vaccination programme. Our huge thanks go out to our Council employees and all those involved in both the establishment of these important centres and their effective operation.”
NHSGGC’s efforts to protect communities against COVID-19 have been following the priority list agreed by the Scottish Government and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
All care home residents and staff in the area have been offered the first dose of the vaccine, while the vaccination of frontline health and social care staff is ongoing. The programme to immunise those aged over 80 in the community began last week.
In the coming weeks and months, the vaccine will be delivered according to the JCVI order of priority for coronavirus vaccinations which is by age group in the main but will also include people with additional clinical risk and unpaid carers. Everyone will be contacted with an appointment as they become eligible and there is no need to contact your GP or other health services.
As people wait for their invitation to receive their vaccine, they have been urged to continue to do all they can to prevent spread of virus.
Dr de Caestecker, said: “While it is encouraging to see the community rollout under way, it does not mean we can let our guard down. Our hospitals are extremely busy with COVID-19 admissions and our staff are working tirelessly to look after both COVID and non-COVID patients.
“We would urge everyone to continue following the rules to help minimise the spread of the virus.”
The FACTS guidance:
- Face coverings in enclosed spaces,
- Avoid crowded places,
- Clean your hands regularly,
- Two metre distancing
- Self-isolate and book a test if you show any symptoms