The next stage of Ayrshire’s mass roll-out of Covid vaccines will start in the coming weeks.
Residents aged between 50 and 65 are the next in line to be offered the jab with letters inviting them to an appointment being sent out.
It follows on from those between the age of 16 and 64 with an underlying health condition and unpaid carers (Group 6) receiving their first jab against coronavirus.
In total, 146,364 people have rolled up their sleeves to receive a first dose since the start of the region's vaccination programme.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran have praised a successful vaccination programme which started on December 8.
Now the attention will turn those aged 60-to-64 (Group 7), 55-to-59 (Group 8) and those aged 50-to-54 (Group 9).
NHS Ayrshire & Arran chief executive John Burns said: “Our vaccination programme is progressing successfully and since the first vaccines were administered locally on December 8, 2020, an incredible 146,364 people have rolled up their sleeve to receive a first dose.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the continued delivery of the vaccination programme in Ayrshire and all those who have come forward for their vaccine so far. The vaccine is key to beating the virus and eventually returning to normal life, so it’s really important that you get it when you are invited.
“I want to take this opportunity to remind people that they still need to follow local restrictions and FACTS after they’ve been vaccinated. It is the best way to keep our friends, family and community safe."
Heath Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “I am delighted that Scotland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme is now able to move to the final stages of vaccinating the first nine priority groups before progressing to people aged under 50.
“We have always said delivery of the vaccination programme is subject to supply and on that basis I am confident we remain on target to offer a first vaccination to all those in the phase one priority groups by the middle of April and the remainder of the adult population by the end of July.
“The roll-out continues to deliver at pace, which is down to the enormous efforts of our vaccination teams. I would like to thank everyone who is working tirelessly to make this a success.
“When you are offered the vaccine please take up the invitation. The vaccination programme is one of three key ways we are working to beat this virus, along with our expanded testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission and the important lockdown restrictions everyone in Scotland must follow. All these measures work to greatest effect when they work together.”
Anyone aged 65 or over who has not yet been invited for their vaccine should visit nhsinform.scot for further advice, or call the national helpline on 0800 030 8013.
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