Renfrewshire people will have more opportunities to get vaccinated against covid as drop-in centres pop up across the region this week.
Targeted at younger people, the clinics aim to speed up the vaccination roll out as cases in the local authority area continue to rise.
The drop-in timetable, issued yesterday by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, shows three six-hour clinics are to be hosted in Renfrewshire and Barrhead up until Sunday.
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It was issued on the same day Professor Jason Leitch recommended the continued use of face masks this summer.
People aged between 18 and 39 who are yet to receive a first vaccine or those who have waited more than eight weeks for a second dose of the Pzifer jab and do not have an appointment are being invited to attend the new drop-in facilities.
The first session will take place at Johnstone Town Hall on Thursday.
On Saturday, further drop in centres will open at Paisley’s Lagoon Leisure Centre and at The Foundry in Barrhead.
All three clinics will run from 9am to 3pm.
The vaccines will be issued on a first come, first-served basis and people are being reminded that they may have to queue for long periods outdoors.
Currently just under half of those aged 18 to 29 in Renfrewshire - 45.7 per cent - have received a first dose of the jab.
That rises to 80 per cent for those aged 30 to 39.
The drop in clinics come as Scotland’s national clinical director, Professor Jason Leitch says he would recommend the continued use of covid safety measures after August 9 when most restrictions are scheduled to be lifted.
Speaking on the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland, he said this is the clinical advice he will be putting forward to the Scottish Government.
“Our public health advice will be that you should wash your hands more often, if you can do things outdoors; you should, and face coverings in crowded areas to protect others,” he said.
“Remember, this is principally a selfless act to protect other people – which would still be a sensible thing to do if you can’t distance fully.”.
Professor Leitch spoke out as Prime Minister Boris Johnson was expected to confirm that face coverings would not be required in public spaces in England when most of its restrictions are lifted on July 19.
That is despite thousands of positive covid results across the UK every day.
In Renfrewshire, the covid infection rate has been recorded at 543 cases per 100,000 of population.
In the week to July 2, a record-breaking 974 positive tests were returned in the local authority area.
The region is contributing to the figures which have seen the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area named amongst the worst affected regions for covid in all of Europe.
The health board was yesterday listed alongside NHS Tayside and NHS Lothian in being named amongst the top 10 covid hot spots in the continent.
