Partner press release: NHSGGC rolls out COVID-19 vaccination programme to care homes
The first care home in Inverclyde has joined the local rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Kincaid House was the first care home in the region.
The programme has been open to care home staff and front line workers from the area, many of whom have already been immunised in preparation for the wider rollout, but this will be the first time that elderly care home residents from the region have been vaccinated in the facility in which they live.
Commenting, Dr Linda De Caestecker, Director of Public Health for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Vaccination of care home staff got underway at NHS Louisa Jordan the week before last and many staff took up the early opportunity to be immunised. We are pleased now to be in a position to deliver the vaccine to care home residents which will go a long way to protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our population.
“I’d like to thank all of the staff involved in the preparation of and delivery of the vaccine. It is testament to their hard work that we’ve been able to rapidly roll out the programme across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
“While we are delighted we’re now able to vaccinate care home residents, we have to be clear this does not mean that people should begin to relax.
“Everyone must still follow the guidelines on minimising the spread of the virus. COVID-19 is still very much with us, and much work is to be done before we get back to any sense of normality so it’s crucial now as we enter the festive period, that everyone continues to do work hard to help supress the virus.”
Councillor Robert Moran, Inverclyde’s convener of health and social care, said: “On Wednesday we saw the first vaccinations being delivered in Inverclyde to our health and social care staff and the rollout of the vaccine to our care home residents is another important step towards getting our lives back to normal.
“A huge amount of credit must go to our HSCP teams and our partners at the health board and public health for getting us to this stage so quickly.
“We still have a long road ahead of us and we must continue following the crucial safety advice, especially at this time of year.
“But it’s yet more cause for celebration that there are better times ahead.”
The FACTS guidance:
- Face coverings in enclosed spaces,
- Avoid crowded places,
- Clean your hands regularly,
- Two metre distancing
- Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms.