Coronavirus / Number of folk vaccinated continues to rise
BY SUNDAY (7 February) nearly one quarter of Shetland’s population eligible for the Covid vaccine had received their first dose.
New figures released today show that as of Sunday 4,608 people had been vaccinated.
NHS Shetland chief executive Michael Dickson said this figure has now risen to more than 5,500.
Shetland’s first mass vaccination centre opened in Lerwick at the start of February as the eligibility of vaccine programme widened.
There are hopes that a vaccination centre at the Gilbertson Park games hall, also in Lerwick, could open next week.
A third mass vaccination centre is planned for the Scalloway games hall.
Meanwhile, local MSP Beatrice Wishart has hit out at those who have been seeking to financially exploit the vaccine rollout.
This comes after reports of people being asked to provide personal bank information before they can get a vaccine.
The NHS has advised people to be vigilant about fraudulent vaccination schemes, reiterating that the Covid-19 vaccine is free, and that the NHS will never ask for card details.
Wishart said: “The vaccination programme is the most important vaccine rollout in modern times and I deplore anybody using the rollout as an opportunity to financially exploit others.
“The e-mails that are circulating look convincing but the NHS will never ask for your bank information nor will you be charged for the vaccine.”
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