NHS Lanarkshire has passed a major milestone in their bid to vaccinate the most vulnerable against Covid-19.

More than 28,000 people have received their first jab since the rollout began on December 8 last year. 

But with people growing restless under strict lockdown measures to curb the spread of the virus, a health chief has urged people to be patient as health workers undertake the "largest vaccination programme ever". 

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Dr Mark Russell, associate medical director of Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: "We are asking people to be patient and wait to be contacted.

“All appointments are being scheduled nationally using information from GP practice records, so it will take time to get to everyone in any one priority group. When you receive your appointment, there will be an option to change it if it is not suitable. However, we would encourage people to take the vaccine when they are offered.”

It is hoped that all patient-facing health and social care staff, care home staff and residents and everyone aged 80 and over and people who are housebound in the area will be immunised by early February. 

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When the health board moves from wave one to two, the numbers of people who have to be jabbed will increase significantly.

 

Dr Russell added: “While the vaccination programme is a great step forward in winning the fight against Covid-19, we can’t become complacent. We need to continue to play our part in keeping ourselves safe."