Vaccine rollout for people aged 70-79 in some parts of Scotland will start on Monday

Everyone eligible for the vaccine who is aged between 70 and 79 across parts of Scotland will begin receiving appointments through the post from Monday, January, 25.
Vaccine roll out for people aged 70-79 will start on Monday Scottish Government announceVaccine roll out for people aged 70-79 will start on Monday Scottish Government announce
Vaccine roll out for people aged 70-79 will start on Monday Scottish Government announce

People in Fife, Forth Valley, Ayrshire & Arran, Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lothian aged between 70 and 79 can expect to start seeing appointments land on doormats from Monday, 25 January.

The envelopes will be delivered to households as the programme progresses though the different groups on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority list.

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Residents were originally told to keep an eye out for a blue envelope dropping through their doors. However, this was changed to a white envelope on Sunday after it was announced that the ‘distinctive’ blue ones weren’t ready yet.

The Scottish Government confirmed that the blue envelopes are not ready and that white, windowed envelopes, with a black NHS logo on the right will be used temporarily instead.

It said the change has no impact on the vaccination programme timetable, with the first appointment letters expected to be delivered on Monday, 25 January as planned.

The letters will include information on how to reschedule an appointment if it is not suitable.

The Scottish Government says it is “on track” for all those aged over 80 to have received their first dose of the vaccine by the end of the first week in February.

People aged 80 or over will be contacted directly by phone or letter.

A new booking system is being used by health boards in Fife, Forth Valley, Ayrshire & Arran, Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lothian to schedule appointments for patients in order of priority.

More health boards are expected to make use of the technology as the vaccination programme expands.

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A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The blue envelopes we hoped to use were not ready in time for the first tranche of vaccine appointment invitations so distinctive NHS branded white envelopes are being used as a temporary measure.

“The absolute priority remains the rollout of vaccinations and this temporary change to the envelope colour has absolutely no impact to our timetable.

“We continue to strongly urge everyone in the 70-79 age group to check all their post in the coming weeks and take up the offer of the vaccine when it is received.

Patients may receive a phone call invitation from their local health board as part of the appointment process and all patients aged 75-79 in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will be invited via phone. ”

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