All eligible care home residents in Lanarkshire have now received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Health board officials say nearly 3000 older people in the county’s care homes have received the immunisation since they began the programme in mid-December.
Now that NHS Lanarkshire’s rollout of the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to the eligible residents is complete, the recipients will receive the required second booster dose 12 weeks later.
Care home vaccinations across the county are being managed by Trudi Marshall, the nurse director of Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, who told how the workforce was “rapidly scaled up” and detailed planning quickly completed to allow the programme to take place.
She said: “We have been vaccinating every day since we started the programme on December 14, and it has been hugely encouraging see just how hard care home staff are working to keep residents safe.
“They have worked closely with health and social care staff every step of the way to ensure residents are prepared for their vaccines.
“I’m also incredibly proud of our staff who have devised and carried out this vaccination programme so quickly and diligently.”
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Trudi added: “I fully understand we’re all eager to get vaccinated – however, I’d call for people across Lanarkshire to please be patient as we work through priority groups.
“What I must stress is that the vaccine is only one element in a wider range of ways we can keep ourselves and loved ones safe from – and cut down transmission of – Covid-19.”
She emphasised the continuing importance of physical distancing, hand washing and face coverings, and following the government FACTS guidance in full.
Trudi said: “This means continuing to wear face coverings, keeping a two-metre distance and ensuring environmental cleaning is carried out regularly; cleaning hands regularly is also vital in preventing transmission.
“It’s essential that everyone who can continues to follow FACTS guidance closely – this remains the most effective way of preventing Covid-19 transmission across the whole of Lanarkshire.
“There is still a long winter ahead of us so please protect yourself, your loved ones and the NHS.”
