The Covid-19 vaccination rollout gets under way early next month. Photo: Hans J Marter/Shetland NewsTHE MASS rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination programme to the rest of the population will get underway in early February, NHS Shetland has confirmed.
A centre will be open at the Independent Living Centre at Gremista as of 1 February, while two further centres at the games halls at Gilbertson Park in Lerwick and the Scalloway games hall are planned to be available from 1 March.
Vaccinations for people in the outer isles will be through GP practices and also at the vaccination centres in Lerwick, the health board said.
This follows the vaccination of care home residents, everyone aged 80 and over and frontline health and care staff.
NHS Shetland chief executive Michael Dickson thanked Shetland Islands Council for supporting the health board in what is the biggest public health vaccination drive of all time – with the whole adult population due to be offered a vaccination.
The goal is to “get vaccines in as many arms as possible as quickly as was safe,” Dickson said.
By spring the health board hopes to have vaccinated all over 80s, over 70s, over 60s and be busy with the over 50s.
“This is not something that NHS Shetland can do on its own but will involve every one of us playing a part to ensure we all safe,” Dickson said.
“We all want to return to normal life and, once again, enjoy Up Helly Aa, going to restaurants and relaxing in one another’s company.”
Council chief executive Maggie Sandison added: “Now the top priority is the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccines.
“The more people who are vaccinated, the more likely we are to keep infection rates in check and get our community back on its feet and our economy into recovery.”
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