QUICK progress is being made with the roll-out of this year’s flu vaccination programme – now being delivered to younger and older people.
All pre-school children in the region have been appointed for their flu vaccinations, while last Monday saw the start of a speedy roll-out to residents of care homes along with their booster jag against COVID-19.
Nigel Calvert is Immunisation Co-ordinator in Dumfries and Galloway, and he said: “We’ve got an early start in our flu vaccination campaign this year, being rolled out at a time when we’re not yet seeing cases of flu within the country.
“It is possible that we will see a higher rate of flu this year, along with other respiratory illnesses, compounded by the fact that people have not been exposed to these due to protective measures against the coronavirus.
“We’d therefore encourage everyone eligible to take up their chance of a flu jag this year. We’d also encourage everyone eligible to receive a booster against COVID, which will include everyone aged 50 and above.”
Scheduled vaccinations against flu in secondary schools are now completed, with in-school vaccinations against COVID for 12 to 15-year-old underway.
Flu and COVID boosters for the housebound began on September 20, and will continue on into December. District nurses have a complete list of those set to receive their vaccinations at home, and the programme is proceeding on target.
Initial vaccination lists of people with weakened immune systems have been completed.
Within Dumfries and Galloway, 95.9 per cent of people aged over 18 have had a first dose vaccination against COVID-19, compared to a national average of 91.8 per cent.
In terms of second doses, 91.3 per cent of people in that age group within the region have had both doses, compared to 86 per cent nationally.
Within the 16 to 17 year old cohort, 79.6 per cent have had their first dose locally, and 19.8 per cent have so far had their second. Across Scotland as a whole, these figures are 70.9 per cent and 10.2 per cent.
Anyone seeking to schedule a COVID vaccination appointment can do so by calling the local helpline on 01387 403090, or by emailing [email protected]
For full information on vaccinations including upcoming drop-in clinics, please visit www.nhsdg.co.uk/vaccines/
