Maree Todd MSP (Pictured) has warmly welcomed the news of the approval of the Pfizer and BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the UK.
Following the approval of the vaccine by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), the First Minister announced that the first doses of the vaccine in Scotland are on track to be delivered on Tuesday the 8th of December.
The groups who will be vaccinated first will be those most at risk from COVID-19, along with those administering the vaccination.
NHS Boards will identify acceptable and accessible locations for mass vaccination and local access and will manage local vaccination clinics.
Highlands & Islands MSP Maree Todd said:
“This really is the most positive news we have had in some time.
“This has been an incredibly tough year for everyone across the Highlands & Islands and throughout Scotland, but finally, we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.
“As the First Minister mentioned in her briefing, the rollout of the vaccine will be the biggest peacetime logistical challenge that the country will have ever taken on.
“There is no doubt that there will be challenges ahead, but the good news on the vaccine is certainly a turning point.
“Whilst the end of this pandemic is firmly in sight, we must continue to follow all the necessary steps to protect each other.
“The Highlands & Islands may be in Level 1, but it is just as important that we adhere to the restrictions in place to suppress the spread of the virus.”
Commenting on arrangements over the festive period, Ms Todd adds:
“The virus will not have gone away by Christmas and bringing people together at home will undoubtedly increase transmission.
“This would be a worry at any time, but perhaps more so when we could be within weeks of being able to vaccinate a proportion of the population.
“We will be relying on people across the country to make an informed decision about whether or not to come together over Christmas.”
The 4 nations approach to Christmas permits people to form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ between 23 and 27 December.
The bubble cannot comprise of more than three households, one of which can be an extended household.
It is recommended that you keep any bubble to a maximum of eight people.
