More than 128,000 people across Forth Valley have now received the Covid-19 vaccine following the roll out of the programme to those aged over 60, people those aged 16 to 64 years with certain underlying health conditions and a number of unpaid carers. This equates to more than 50% of the local population.

Work is now underway to deliver the vaccine to the last two priority groups – those aged between 55 and 59 years old (group 8 on the priority list) and people aged 50-54 (group 9 on the priority list). Everyone aged over 50 should now have received an appointment to attend a vaccination session in the next few weeks and the aim is to complete the vaccination for these final two priority groups by mid-April 2021 in line with national targets.

Anyone in the 9 priority groups who has not yet received an appointment can complete the online for missing appointments on the NHS Inform website or telephone the Covid-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week).

Second doses of the vaccine continue to the delivered and the vast majority of care home residents in Forth Valley have now received their second vaccine. Everyone who has received an initial vaccination will automatically receive a second vaccination appointment within 12 weeks.

Jillian Taylor, Operational Lead for NHS Forth Valley’s Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, said: “We are delighted that we are on track to complete the vaccination of all 9 priority groups on or ahead of schedule. These groups represent around 99% of preventable deaths from COVID-19 which means we have protected the most vulnerable people in our local communities who are most at risk from the virus.

“I’d like thank everyone involved in delivering this large and complex vaccination programme over the last few months as it has been a real team effort. Work is now underway to finalise vaccination plans and venues for those aged under 50 with the aim of completing the roll out to the remainder of the adult population by the end of July 2021, subject to vaccine supplies.”

Please make every effort to attend your appointment. This allows us to continue to vaccinate everyone as quickly as possible. However, if you are unable to attend you can rearrange your appointment by completing the online form on the NHS Inform website or phone the national Covid-19 Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013. For further information visit www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine