'It was nice to speak to people again' - Your views on Edinburgh's mass vaccination centre

A mass vaccination centre has opened in Edinburgh with the over-70s due to receive their jabs from this week, The centre at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre has the capacity to vaccinate more than 21,000 people a week at 45 stations. Readers formed an orderly queue to comment...

Vaccinations are now being administered at the the EICC

Lyzzie Dell: Just back. The staff were efficient, pleasant and informative … and it was nice to speak to people.

Lesley Watt: It’s not the easiest place to get to. There’s not much parking nearby.

Lizz Rennie: You will find a lot of people in Edinburgh, including the elderly, do not own cars. You can use public transport for essential journeys, which includes medical appointments, and the EICC is really easy to get to right in the city centre. There is parking nearby, including a multi-storey at Castle Terrace. People who are infirm or vulnerable are being done at GP surgeries.

Paul Taylor: We've been told to avoid public transport, the vaccine at present is being targeted on the elderly and infirm, the centre is not easy to get to and any one with half a brain would not have chosen it as super-vaccine centre.

Louise Davie: It is the most ridiculous venue. City centre. Narrow streets. How about murrayfield or similar, with huge car parks available? I'm not bussing it anywhere thanks. I will use my car and park as close as I can but the majority of people do not live in the city centre.

Hil Mark: If people had been told they'd won £1,000,000 they wouldn't be quibbling about where they had to go and collect it.

Jessica Craig: I had to take two buses and a taxi to get there for a 9am appointment. I am old and don't drive. I'm not quibbling, but really?

Wilma MacLeod: I’ve not been on a bus or in ataxi since March last year. I Will have to walk three miles as no parking but it will keep me fit – Im 77!

Margaret Adams: If you phone the number on the letter they will change the venue to a more convenient place. My friends did and they were more than helpful.

Lizanne Smith: Fingers crossed they get through everyone quickly. I am ready with my sleeve rolled up for mine when the time comes. The quicker the better.

Lorraine Blyth: My folks are so excited, they have their appointments tomorrow. It’s their biggest day out in nearly 11 months.

Brian Monaghan: Do they do juice and biscuits like the blood donor centre?

Chris Hindle: So it’s vaccine that protects you from a virus, but still let's you catch and spread the virus...

Steve Bell: There needs to be a point in the future where if people refuse to take it then spreading it to them is an inevitability. That's the risk they take. We can't just keep wearing masks for ever for the anti-vaxers. Obviously the rumours of covid passports will be true. They will ban the anti-vaxers from any large gatherings. Gigs, nightclubs, football games, festivals. A lot will fall in line once that happens. I think they will twig it's just the supermarket and maybe the pub without it.

GIG ECONOMY

A controversial bid to create a new open-air concert arena at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens is on the verge of being scrapped due to opposition from the heritage sector, a lack of funding and the impact of the pandemic.

Scott MacKellar: The existing bandstand is an absolute disgrace and ruins the Gardens. Something needs to be done to upgrade the Gardens.

John McGeachie: It's a 10,000- 12,000 capacity indoor arena that Edinburgh needs. Every major city in the UK has one except Scotland's capital.

Steven Oliver: Doesn't surprise me at all. Edinburgh seems to have an uncanny ability to announce grand plans which then come to nothing.

Jrown JB: Good. Let's hope Edinburgh Council will also stop the plan to have that ghastly, proposed film theatre in Festival Square

Jim Merrilees: Let the businesses who benefit from the festival and associated stuff put their hands in their pockets and fund these hair-brained schemes.

Tom MacDonald: I know how to get it approved and as much funding as you need. … make it venue for cyclists. Maybe Queen could open it with Bicycle Race.

David Black: Surely a basic stage, changing rooms and toilets would not cost a fortune. Why does everything have to be on a grand scale.