As we knew was going to be the case, the start to 2021 has been hugely challenging for us all with sobering Covid case rates and fatalities caused by the virus necessitating a period of further lockdown.
The loss of life wrought by the virus has been a tragedy of our time and last week, it was revealed that in 2020, Scotland recorded it’s highest number of peacetime excess deaths since 1891.
This statistic makes for difficult reading and shows that however challenging many may feel the present restrictions are, it is imperative we all continue to rigorously abide by them.
When the virus first emerged the country was placed into an unprecedented lockdown last March with little understanding of the scale of the challenge ahead. Now a brighter light can be seen at the end of this year long dark tunnel with vaccines thankfully being rolled out across Scotland and the UK.
It is imperative that the vaccine rollout progresses as quickly as possible and it is particularly important that priority groups are vaccinated in the shortest practical timeframe.
On 15th January, I participated in a conference call with Senior Health Officials from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on delivery of the vaccines for people living in the health board region including East Renfrewshire.
My office is receiving a very high volume of enquiries from constituents who are over 80 years of age and their relatives on when they can expect to be vaccinated and the health board advised that everyone in this priority group should have received their first jab by the beginning of February.
Many GP surgeries are participating in the vaccination programme and local people should stand ready as I know some individuals have been contacted by telephone by their GP and invited, at very short notice, to attend the practice for their vaccine as supplies are notified to them.
Supply of the vaccine is crucial and I am aware from e-mails sent to me by constituents that there has been some difficulties with the distribution of doses to GP surgeries in Eastwood.
These supply issues need to be remedied as a matter of priority and the pace of vaccine delivery needs to pick up and fast. The Scottish Government must ensure vaccination doses are reaching GPs far more quickly across the board to ensure that key targets can be met.
On 11th January, the Health Secretary made the commitment that all over 80’s would be vaccinated by the end of the month. The First Minister has now confirmed that the date by which this objective will be achieved must be slightly adjusted. If this is understandable while regrettable, it is also essential that the new target of vaccinating everyone aged above 80 in Scotland by the end of the first week of February is achieved.
There can be no excuses for not now ensuring we improve the supply of vaccines to GP’s and greater action must be taken to ensure vaccination doses get to where they are needed urgently. Meanwhile let’s again offer thanks to all those caring for those struck by Covid and hope for better times.