More than 5,000 people in East Renfrewshire receive Covid-19 vaccine

More than 5,000 people in East Renfrewshire have received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.
A total of 5000 people have received the vaccination in East RenfrewshireA total of 5000 people have received the vaccination in East Renfrewshire
A total of 5000 people have received the vaccination in East Renfrewshire

Public Health Scotland data shows 5,953 people had received their first jab by January 24.

That was up 31% from 4,552 a week earlier.

It means7.8% of people aged 16 and over in East Renfrewshire have now received their first jab using latest Scottish population estimates.

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Na h-Eileanan Siar had the highest vaccination rate of all local authority areas in Scotland –15.9% – while Edinburgh had the lowest at 4.9%.

Across Scotland, 415,269 people had received a jab by January 24, equating to 9.1% of the population.

The Health Foundation think tank says there could be "various reasons" behind the variation in vaccination rates for people aged 80 and over nationally, such as some areas receiving a larger supply of doses than others, or starting the rollout earlier.

Charles Tallack, from the foundation, said: "This data represents a snapshot in time, variation will narrow as the programme continues.

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"Going forward, it will be important for policy makers to understand why such variation exists so that steps can be taken to address inequalities that emerge."

The Scottish Government is aiming for people in the first priority groups – care home staff and residents, frontline health workers and people aged 80 and over – to have the first vaccination by the first week in February.

They will be followed by people aged 70 and over, and then those aged 65 and over and people who are clinically extremely vulnerable.

As of January 24, 134,289 people aged 80 and over had received the first jab across Scotland – covering 49.8% of the age group.

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Vaccinations are being delivered through GP practices, health centres and local clinics.

Larger vaccinations centres are also being planned for major conference centres and sports facilities, as well as leisure centres and town halls.

Following the first dose of the vaccine, a second jab is offered up to 12 weeks later.

The Scottish Government said it is prioritising getting more people the first dose over a quicker turnaround of the second.

A report with the vaccination data said: “This will provide the greatest public health benefits in the short term and save more lives."