More than 200,000 people in Ayrshire have received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine.
The milestone was reached as the vaccination programme entered its fourth month – with the first vaccinations given on Tuesday, December 8.
To date, a total of 204,178 people have been vaccinated in Ayrshire with 32,803 people having received both doses.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran's joint director of public health Lynne McNiven said: “The uptake has been tremendous and we can see the positive impact the vaccination programme is having in our communities, with fewer hospitalisations and lower transmission levels.
“The best way to maximise the efficacy of the vaccine is to have both doses, so I would really encourage everyone offered an appointment for that second vaccine takes the opportunity to do so.
“The vaccination programme is the largest of its kind we have ever delivered and it has come about thanks to the hard work of an army of vaccinators and support staff from the health and social care workforce. The effort has been vast and it is hugely appreciated.”
At present, Ayrshire residents aged 65 to 79 are being invited back to mass vaccination clinics to receive their second dose.
Second doses have already been offered to care home residents, health and social care workers and the Over-80s living in the community. GPs are currently working through those in the shielding group and housebound patients around Ayrshire.
Deputy chief medical officer Nicola Steedman said: “Following the statements by the MHRA and the JCVI, we want to stress that the evidence shows that, overall, the benefits of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the risks and it continues to be a safe and effective vaccine.
“However, the Scottish Government will follow the JCVI recommendation to offer alternative vaccines to adults under 30 without underlying health conditions. We have two other vaccines which have been authorised by the MHRA currently in use – Pfizer/BioNtech and Moderna – and others should become available in the future.
“We continue to urge anyone offered a vaccination to take up their appointment.
The vaccination programme is one of three key ways we are working to beat this virus, along with our expanded testing programme.”
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
