SCOTLAND has today begun administering the latest coronavirus vaccine in more than 1,000 locations across the country.

The first dose has been rolled out in GP practices and community vaccination centres after already being given in primary care settings in NHS Tayside, Lothian, Orkney and Highland.

How do I get the vaccine?

Scots will be told by letter or phone call when it is their turn to be vaccinated.

Officials are urging people to take up the offer, and not to contact their GP.

When will I get the vaccine?

The first priority group for the vaccine is residents in a care home for older adults and their carers, people aged 80 or over and front line health and social care workers.

The order in which people will be offered the vaccine is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

The JCVI list is as follows: 

  • residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
  • all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
  • all those 75 years of age and over
  • all those 70 years of age and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
  • all those 65 years of age and over
  • all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
  • all those 60 years of age and over
  • all those 55 years of age and over
  • all those 50 years of age and over

Where is my nearest vaccination centre?

The Scottish Government have published a full list of locations throughout Scotland where the vaccine will be administered. 

We have pulled these areas into a map, so that you can find your nearest centre.

It is important to note that you should not go to one of these centres without an appointment - your health board will be in touch via phone call or letter when it is time to be vaccinated.

Some locations on this list are not available due to technical reasons. Please check your appointment letter for your centre details.

Can I leave home to get the vaccine?

Yes. With much of Scotland now in level four lockdown restrictions, we are being advised to only leave home when necessary. But it has been confirmed that getting the Covid-19 vaccine is a permissible reason to leave the home.

What has the Scottish Government said?

On Sunday, health secretary Jeane Freeman said: “The delivery of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is a major development for the biggest vaccination programme we have ever delivered. I would like to thank everyone involved for their continued efforts to ensure the pace of the programme continues. Next week I will update parliament with further logistical detail of the vaccination programme.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Jeane Freeman blasts Tories for 'political point scoring' over Covid jag claims

“We have over 1,100 vaccination sites, including over 750 GP practices with a growing core of over 3000 trained vaccinators to deliver the vaccine. When it is your turn to be vaccinated you will be contacted by your local health board and I urge you to please take up the offer. Please do not contact your GP but wait for your letter or phone call. And please remember that when the time comes for your second dose, it is crucial you get it as this is vital for longer term protection and to complete the course.

“As ever, we are dependent on the vaccine supply and we continue to explore all possible options to speed up the delivery of all vaccine and bring forward timescales where possible.

“This work, alongside our expanded testing strategy, rigorously complying with restrictions where we live and adhering to the public health guidance, is essential to protect those most at risk and minimise further impact on the NHS and social care services.”