Covid vaccines to be delivered on time to Fife care homes, healthcare staff and over 80s, says NHS Fife

NHS Fife confirmed at the meeting of its Board earlier today that it was on course to meet the Scottish Government plan for covid vaccinations for frontline health and social care workers, care home staff and residents, as well as local people aged 80 and over.

The news comes after it was announced earlier this month that the first vaccine doses had been completed in all of Fife’s care homes.

Since the start of the vaccination programme in December 2020, more than 13,000 healthcare and social care staff have been vaccinated.

Fife residents aged 80 and over are the latest priority group to begin the vaccination process, with GP practices also on course to complete first-round vaccinations by early February.

Scott Garden, director of pharmacy and medicines said: “The COVID-19 vaccination programme is enormous and will take a number of months to complete, however, we’re pleased with the progress made in vaccinating frontline staff, those living and working in the Kingdom’s care homes and our over 80’s population.

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“The scheduling of vaccinations for these groups has been challenging. Thanks to diligent planning, coupled with the dedication of our vaccinators in our hospitals and our medical practices, we remain on course to vaccinate these groups on time.

“Importantly, we believe that we are well-placed to build upon the progress made so far and we will reach another important milestone next week as we begin to see those aged 75-79 vaccinated in our community clinics across the Kingdom.”

People aged 75-79, will be asked to attend one of the newly established community clinics rather than their GP practice for the jab.

This process will be phased over a number of weeks with appointment letters beginning to arrive for some this week, ahead of the first clinics opening next week.

A total of twelve vaccination venues have been confirmed in Fife as community vaccination sites, with an additional site still to be confirmed in West Fife.

These will open on a phased basis, with the first site offering appointments on February 1.

Vaccination at the clinics will be by appointment only, with patients sent letters by order of their priority group.

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