Renfrewshire residents urged to get Covid19 jab as local vaccine centres confirmed

Renfrewshire residents are being urged to ‘roll up their sleeves’ and get the Covid19 vaccine – as the locations for three large-scale vaccination centres in the area are confirmed.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde earlier today announced centres across the health board area, including at Paisley’s Lagoon Leisure Centre, Renfrew Leisure Centre and Johnstone Town Hall.

Renfrewshire Council is assisting the health board to operate all three locations – due to open on Monday 1 February and expected to handle thousands of residents a week over the coming months.

And council leader Iain Nicolson is backing the Scottish Government’s ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’ campaign encouraging residents to take up the offer of a vaccine when they become eligible.

Vaccinations are currently being given in order of priority to care-home residents, frontline health and social care workers, and those aged 80 years and over.

The NHS will contact people directly with details of their appointment when they become eligible – there is no need to contact anyone.

Councillor Nicolson said: “Getting vaccinated is the best way we will have to stop the spread of Covid19, and protect you, your family and friends from a potentially deadly virus.

“The vaccine rollout will also eventually allow the government to start easing restrictions and getting life back to normal again, which I am sure everyone in Renfrewshire wants to see.

“We are pleased to be able to support the NHS with the operation of the vaccination centres, and I would urge people in the relevant groups to look out for their appointment letter.

“In the meantime, please stick with the rules and the guidance around face coverings, physical distancing and hand-washing to help stop the spread – and know there is light at end of the tunnel and what we are living through just now will not be forever.”

The rollout of the vaccine is following the priority list agreed by the Scottish Government and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), with those in older age groups and who are considered clinically vulnerable first in line.

The three local centres are among 16 across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area. NHS staff will administer the vaccines and staff from Renfrewshire Council and Renfrewshire Leisure will help manage the buildings and with local arrangements.

They will initially be open six days a week and were chosen for their size, central locations and good transport links.

More information on how the three centres will work and how to get there is available on the council website at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-vaccination-centres

For more information about the vaccine itself, see NHS Inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine