A MASS vaccination drive is underway at the NHS Louisa Jordan, with 5000 jags set to be administered today.
The field hospital is working with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to deliver thousands of injections as part of the Scottish Government’s roll-out.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has praised the efforts of hospital workers, commenting: "My thanks to vaccinators [NHS Louisa Jordan] and across the country working hard to make the light at the end of the tunnel that bit brighter - one jag at a time."
The operation at the Louisa Jordan today will see 95 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff working with the Louisa Jordan team to deliver up to 500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine per hour over the course of the day.
Some 65 vaccine stations have been mobilised across the large floor space at the Louisa Jordan. The first jag was administered at 8.45am, with the last one set for 7.30pm.
Linda De Caestecker, director of Public Health for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Today’s mass clinic at NHS Louisa Jordan is testament to the careful planning and professionalism of all the staff involved and I’d like to thank everyone who have made this possible.
“This will play a crucial role in preventing the harm caused by this virus and keeping our vital staff safe to care for patients across healthcare settings.
READ MORE: Jeane Freeman hits back at claim NHS Louisa Jordan hasn't treated Covid patients
“While Saturday marks a significant milestone, much work is yet to be done. The rates of infection remain very high in this area and vaccination must work alongside other measures if we are to suppress the virus. Everyone must remember to follow the FACTS and to avoid social mixing in order to save as many lives as possible.”
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman revealed the locations of Scotland’s mass vaccination centres this week, with most set to be up and running by the start of March.
As well as the Louisa Jordan, based in the SEC on the banks of the Clyde, the centres will include Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, Ravenscraig sports facility, Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Today’s mass vaccination clinic @NHSLouisaJordan is well underway, as 5,000 Covid-19 vaccines are set to be administered throughout the day in collaboration with @NHSGGC! pic.twitter.com/L7bibd9TOL
— NHS Louisa Jordan (@NHSLouisaJordan) January 16, 2021
Freeman said they will be open between 8am and 8pm but times could be altered to allow 24/7 operation.
The Scottish Government aims to inoculate an average of 400,000 people a week by the end of February.
Ministers have described the vaccination programme as “the largest mass vaccination programme ever undertaken”.
Priority groups one and two, which include care home residents, care home staff, frontline health and social care staff, should receive their first doses by February 5.
READ MORE: REVEALED: Locations of Scotland's first Covid mass-vaccination centres
Priority groups three, four and five include people aged 65 and over and the clinically extremely vulnerable, and should receive jags by March.
The remaining priority groups – including those over 50, people aged 16-64 with underlying health conditions, and paid carers – should be vaccinated by early May.
Freeman told MSPs this week that so far, more than 80% of care home residents in Scotland have now had the first dose of their vaccination.
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