Coronavirus vaccine given to Ayrshire NHS staff in pictures

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine began yesterday with vaccinators who will be administering the injection receiving it themselves.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran received its delivery of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on Monday, December 7.

The first to be vaccinated were the vaccinators themselves with older people, health staff and care home workers then to receive it.

The injection helps to reduce your risk of developing coronavirus and makes your symptoms milder if you catch the virus.

It will be given in two doses, with the second given between 21 and 28 days after the first dose.

It will be given as an injection in the upper arm and will only take a few minutes.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, scientists across the world have worked to develop a safe and effective vaccine.

The first of these are becoming available now and vaccinations begun in the UK this week - the first country in world to administer the jag as part of a mass vaccination programme.

After two English NHS workers suffered allergic reactions to the injection yesterday (Tuesday, December 8), regulators said that people with a history of significant allergic reactions should not have the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID jab.

The advice applies to those who have had reactions to medicines, food or vaccines, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said.

The two people had a reaction shortly after getting the vaccine, they both have histories of serious allergies but are understood to be recovering well.

Who will be offered the coronavirus vaccine?

People aged 50 or over are most at risk of developing coronavirus and serious symptoms, and the risk increases with age.

Older adults living in care homes are at greater risk because large groups of especially vulnerable people are living together, in surroundings where the virus can spread quickly.

Frontline healthcare and social care workers are also at risk as they may be exposed to infection.

Those groups at the most risk will be vaccinated first, these are: staff and residents in care homes, people aged 80 and over and frontline healthcare and social care staff.

Vaccination for other groups will begin as soon as the supply of vaccine becomes available. The aim is for every adult in Scotland to be offered the vaccination.

NHS Scotland strongly recommends you get your vaccine as soon as it's offered to you.

John Burns, NHS Ayrshire and Arran Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to have received our first delivery of the vaccine into NHS Ayrshire and Arran and to have started our vaccination programme today.

"Delivering a vaccination programme of this size will be challenging, however we have planned carefully to ensure we have an effective programme to deliver vaccination in the weeks and months ahead.

“As we follow the JCVI prioritised cohorts we will ensure timely communication at each stage of the programme.

“I realise how challenging these last months have been, however I would ask that we all continue to follow the FACTS advice to ensure we continue to protect ourselves, our families and friends.”

There are 23 sites across Scotland which will act as vaccination centres for the priority groups.

For more information about the coronavirus vaccine visit NHS Inform's website here.