Over the coming weeks NHS Lanarkshire’s COVID-19 vaccination programme is increasing to provide more first and second doses to local communities.

Dr Mark Russell, Lead for the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Lanarkshire, said: “In the next two weeks we will be vaccinating around 100,000 people, this is 7,000 people a day across all of our vaccination clinics.

“Our clinics will be busy, so we are asking the public for their continued support in helping our clinics run as smoothly as possible. Please do not turn up early for your appointment – if you turn up early, our staff will ask you to return closer to your allocated time. This will help to avoid queues building up and make sure your appointment runs as smoothly as possible.”

We are also working on other solutions to help keep our clinics running efficiently. These include a flexible team to offer a quick response to staffing challenges.

As the vaccination programme progresses, we are on track to hit 500,000 vaccines soon. This includes both first and second doses.

All appointments for everyone aged over 50 and people under 50 with an underlying health condition have been issued. If you are in one of these groups and have not yet received an appointment for your first vaccination, please complete the missing appointment form on NHS inform at www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/invitations-and-appointments/missing-appointment-details

For second doses, there’s no need to contact us or your GP practice, you will be contacted directly. The details of your first dose are recorded on the national system and an appointment will be issued in due course. If you need to wait slightly longer than 12 weeks for your second dose - for example, if you’ve had a recent positive COVID-19 test result or for other medical reasons, there is no detriment to your immunity or effectiveness of the vaccine and you will not need to repeat your first dose.

Dr Russell adds: “I would like to thank the hundreds of staff involved in this vaccination programme and also the member of our communities who are continuing to roll up their sleeves to help Lanarkshire return to normal. Please remember to stick to the FACTS guidance, even after you have been vaccinated.”