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Coronavirus / First Covid vaccine dose for ‘nearly everyone’ by mid-May, health board expects

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FIRST doses of the Covid vaccine should be given to nearly every adult in Shetland by the middle of the month, the health board has confirmed.

Covid vaccination clinics will be running over the next two weeks at both the Independent Living Centre and Gilbertson Park.

From mid-May “we expect to have vaccinated nearly everyone who wants to be vaccinated with a first dose”, NHS Shetland said.

From mid-May NHS Shetland will be concentrating on second doses, but it will continue to vaccinate anyone else who comes forward to have their first dose.

The health board anticipates that second doses will continue until the end of July.

“Although we know that there will then be a booster programme, we do not yet know if that will be for everyone, or just certain groups, or what vaccines will be used,” Dr Laidlaw said.

The latest published figures show that 14,008 people in Shetland have had their first dose of vaccine, which is 74.8 per cent coverage of the adult population.

Of these 8,663 have had two doses, or 46.3 per cent.

Anyone who has not yet been called for a first dose should look out for a call from an unknown or withheld number over the next few days.

“If you miss a call we will keep trying several times before sending you a letter,” Dr Laidlaw said.

“When you get your appointment please make sure you know which venue you have been asked to attend as both centres are being used for these clinics.

“And please make a note of the date and time, to avoid having to phone back to check.

“The vaccination teams would like to remind people that our clinics are appointment only so please do not just turn up and ask to be vaccinated.

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“Public transport is free for those attending a vaccination clinic, and there are shuttle buses for the Independent Living Centre at Gremista.”

If you are aged 40 or over and have not yet been vaccinated or received an appointment call 01595 743319 and leave a message.

There is also information on the vaccine available on the NHS Inform website.

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