New network of 12 community COVID vaccination clinics launched across Fife

NHS Fife has confirmed plans to utilise community centres, churches and two of the region’s theatres as it steps up its mass vaccination programme.

The clinics will open on a phased basis, with the first site offering appointments on February 1.

Vaccination will be by appointment only, with patients sent letters by order of their priority group.

Picture Michael Gillen

The news comes as NHS Fife also confirms 17,000 people have now been vaccinated against COVID since the programme began in December.

This includes 11,500 healthcare and social care staff, more than 2,500 care home residents and just under 3,000 care home staff.

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GP practices have been vaccinating those aged 80 and over for just under two weeks and it is expected that all in this group will be offered vaccination by early February.

People aged 75-79 will be in the next priority group to begin vaccination - appointment letters beginning to arrive for some from next week.

Scott Garden, NHS Fife director of pharmacy and medicines, said: “The development of our network of community COVID-19 clinics is another important step in helping us to reduce the transmission of the virus in Fife.

“The scale of the COVID-19 vaccination programme cannot be underestimated – it is truly unprecedented.

“Establishing this network of large community venues should enable us to deliver a programme of this size and scale in a timely manner, whilst enabling our medical practices to continue to deliver the vital local healthcare services that people rely on.

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