Let’s keep the vaccine light at the end of the tunnel shining brightly - Brian Sloan

The announcement heralding the start of the vaccine rollout was very much the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, offering hope as a new year began. Now, with the programme firmly under way, these plans do offer a good level of comfort. It’s clear the light is still shining, but there is still a long way to go and many challenges to overcome with such a vast national programme, unlike any other.

Brian Sloan, chief executive, Age Scotland.

We’re confident that the priority order in Scotland is the right one, with vaccinations for care home residents and staff and those over 80 taking precedence. As these groups have been the ones most at risk of severe ill health and death, it’s so important that they were first in line. Ensuring that they get their first jab on time is vital and means the rollout stays on track.

Of course, these commitments made by the Scottish Government come with an expectation to deliver and the weight of the inevitable scrutiny should these timeframes falter. As the leading older people’s charity in Scotland, it is our duty to hold those in charge accountable for promises made to older age groups.

There has been much discussion recently about the comparison of speed and efficacy of rollouts in Scotland and other parts of the UK. It’s important that governments and health services work together on this rather than being distracted with fault finding. Drawing dividing lines does not seem particularly helpful at such a critical time.

Of course, we would be keen to see the rollout speed up, especially as this is something that has affected us all so severely for so long. However, it’s vital to have a relentless focus on getting this right, not miss anyone within groups and ensure they receive it safely and swiftly.

This is an anxious time for older people as they wait to hear when they will receive the vaccine. Our helpline has heard from older people who are still unsure of the process, detail and feel they haven’t had enough information, either from their GP or from the Scottish Government.

The new national “Roll up your sleeves” information campaign will no doubt alleviate many of these concerns. It is so important that national communications are clear and further information is readily available for people in priority groups as the programme continues.

But it’s not necessarily always older people themselves voicing concerns, rather the adult children and grandchildren of over 80s wondering why their parents and grandparents have not yet been contacted about their vaccine – especially as that deadline creeps closer. Their anxiety is wholly understandable.

Our lives have been on hold for the best part of a year and with many care homes locked down since last March and 350,000 older people living alone, levels of loneliness are at a record high. The promise of a vaccine offers the much-needed hope that this way of life will eventually be a thing of the past.

In the meantime it is important that we stick together, continue to look out for our neighbours and do everything we can to follow the public heath guidance so that we can come out of this stronger, and quicker.

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland