NHS Lanarkshire has started administering the second dose of the coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine to eligible care home residents.
The first health board in Scotland to vaccinate care home residents against Covid-19, NHS Lanarkshire has vaccinated more than 3,000 residents with the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
Trudi Marshall, Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire nurse director, who is managing the care home vaccination programme across the whole of Lanarkshire, said: “Care home residents are amongst our most vulnerable residents so I know it will be greatly reassuring to residents and their loved ones that we are now administering the vaccine’s second dose.
“Health and social care staff continue to work closely with care home staff every step of the way to keep residents as safe as possible.
“The co-operation between our staff and care home staff has been exceptional; it is the perfect example of team work designed to protect our older people from this terrible pandemic.”
Trudi again stressed the ongoing importance of physical distancing, hand washing and face coverings.
She said: “This second dose for our most vulnerable residents is another important step to further protecting them. The public vaccination programme is also making good progress. However, I must stress is that the vaccine is only one element in a wider range of ways we can keep ourselves and loved ones safe from – and cut down transmission of – Covid-19.
“It is essential that everyone, who can, continues to follow FACTS guidance closely.
“This means continuing to wear face coverings, keeping a two metre distance and ensuring environmental cleaning is carried out regularly. Cleaning hands regularly is also vital in preventing transmission.
“This remains the most effective way of preventing COVID-19 transmission across the whole of Lanarkshire.”
As part of the vaccination programme planning process it was acknowledged that there will have been residents who were not eligible to receive the vaccine at the planned time for a number of reasons such as not being 28 days post Covid infection or being unwell on the day of vaccination.
As a result, further visits to care homes have taken place to ensure all eligible residents receive the first dose of their vaccine and this is continuing where necessary. This work is important to provide an extra layer of protection for residents, staff and their loved ones.
