Covid: Top doctor says vaccine distribution needs to be 'crystal clear'

The first doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine arrived in the UK earlier this week and is currently being stored.

First vaccinations are due to begin on Tuesday with those giving out the vaccine, people aged over 80 and health and social care workers the first to receive it in Scotland.

Scotland will receive 8.2% of the 800,000 doses – just over 65,500 – in the first delivery secured by the UK, with more expected in the weeks ahead.

The vaccine is currently being stored at between -70C and -80C in specialist Covid-19 vaccine freezers at a secure location

The British Medical Association (BMA) said there has so far been “mixed messaging” about when higher-risk people can expect to be vaccinated.

BMA chair of council Dr Chaand Nagpaul said: “It’s great news that the most significant vaccination delivery programme of recent times will soon be under way and become a reality, and doctors across all healthcare settings stand ready to play their part.

“As we work together to defeat this terrible virus, it’s right that people at highest risk are first in line to receive the vaccine.

“It is now essential that effective and comprehensive public information is delivered to all our communities to ensure that those who need the vaccine most urgently come forward to receive it over the weeks and months ahead.

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“We also need the Government to be crystal clear about how this prioritisation will work; we have already seen mixed messaging about when care homes, high-risk patients in the community and NHS staff can expect to be vaccinated, and many will be disappointed that they will have to wait for several weeks longer than originally indicated by the Government.

“In the first phase of the pandemic, significant numbers of healthcare workers became seriously ill and many lost their lives to the virus – and we need to prevent any more unnecessary deaths or enforced absences from work.”

A pharmacy technician demonstrates how the vaccine will be prepared before administration

Nagpaul said it is also vital that urgent action is taken to ensure that the “vast backlog” of patients needing treatment for non-Covid conditions get the care they need.

“With waiting lists now numbering in their millions, there is no room for complacency about what our hospitals and general practices can cope with.

“This is the beginning, not the end, of our nationwide effort to defeat this virus – and it will take several months before enough vaccinations have been delivered to make a return to life as we knew it possible.

“To avoid any further increase in infections, and to protect our hard-pressed NHS, it’s vital that members of the public remain vigilant and continue to adhere to existing rules on hygiene, travel and social mixing,” he said.