SAT - Allover - Chris Morphet
Tuesday 3 December 2024
 0.9°C   NW Light Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts
GR Direct - Winter Sale 2024

Coronavirus / Health board to call over 50s this weekend for Covid vaccine

The Pfizer vaccine. Photo: Hans J Marter/Shetland News

NHS Shetland will be calling people this weekend offering Covid vaccines for those who are aged 50 or over, as well as people in at-risk groups and unpaid carers.

People from the Lerwick, Levenwick, Scalloway, Brae, Bixter and Walls GP practices will all be offered appointments at the next mass vaccination clinics at the Gilbertson Park in Lerwick.

NHS Shetland said: “The call you receive may be a withheld number – but please answer your phone if you can.

“If we can’t get hold of you by phone, don’t worry, you will get a letter but it will just delay your appointment a little.

“Patients in these groups from Hillswick, Unst, Yell and Whalsay will be called by their own practice.”

More than 10,000 people in Shetland have so far received their first dose of the vaccine, which amounts to over 50 per cent of the eligible population.

Up to 10 March more than 660 people – mainly those living and working in care homes – had received their second dose.

Meanwhile, a study of all healthcare workers employed by the NHS in Scotland and their households, shows that the rate of infection with Covid-19 for people that live with healthcare workers is at least 30 per cent lower when the worker has been vaccinated mostly with a single dose.

Since household members of healthcare workers can also be infected via other people (not just via the healthcare worker they live with), this 30 per cent relative risk reduction is thought to be an underestimate of the ‘true’ effect of vaccination on transmission.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.