Covid vaccination plans shared as NHS Highland aims to ramp up rollout
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COVID vaccination plans for residents of Ross-shire and the wider Highlands and an update on vulnerable groups already reached has been shared by a local councillor.
An update briefing from NHS Highland has been shared with constituents via Cromarty Firth councillor Maxine Morley-Smith.
It shows the number of new cases continuing to reduce slowly. The infection rate is 71/100,000 across the NHS Highland area: 85/100,000 in Argyll and Bute and 66/100,000 in North Highland, according to the latest avialable figures.
NHS Highland said it was continuing to manage outbreaks in three care homes – Castle Gardens and Kintyre House in Invergordon and Fodderty House near Dingwall.
It says the outbreak at Fodderty is now classed as resolved.
As of February 4, NHS Highland had vaccinated 53,387 people. The update report states: "In some isolated cases, people who were not able to attend an earlier appointment may be vaccinated within the next few days at one of the clinics arranged for a following cohort. We aim to vaccinate all those aged over 65 and the clinically extremely vulnerable (shielding) by mid-February. We have already completed 54 per cent of people aged 75-80."
It says that people who are housebound due to infirmity or because they are shielding are identified by their GPs and NHS Highland will work with them to find the best way to reach them. This could be vaccination at home by a GP, district nurse or other colleague, or they may prefer to travel with the help of family or other carers to a local clinic.
It said: "This differs somewhat from the national approach, which is to encourage travel to a clinic, so we will be making clear in our communications to individuals who they should contact if they wish to discuss their options. While it may take us a little longer to reach everyone this way, we believe it is preferable to very vulnerable people having to travel long distances."
People who are temporarily residents in the area, whether because they are homeless, staying in a second home, or staying with friends or relatives, can contact the local GP practice and ask to be registered as temporary residents for vaccination. NHS Highland said it recommends registering permanently with a GP if living here for more than three months.
The report added: "As we ramp up delivery, we will continue to work with GPs. Where necessary, this will be supported by additional vaccine centres, additional staffing and mobile clinics. For our plans to work, we need a specific combination of Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccine supplies: Pfizer is not suitable for all of our locations, due to the need to keep it refrigerated and use it quickly once diluted. We have explained these requirements to Scottish Government."
It says 28 pharmacies in Highland and Argyll and Bute have expressed an interest in supporting the vaccination.
Related: Frustration over rollout in parts of Ross-shire
