Coronavirus

COVID: Military To Begin Giving Vaccines In Scotland

A member of the public receives the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccination from a Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) doctor at a mass vaccination site in York on 20 January 2021 (Picture: MOD).

Members of the Armed Forces are set to administer coronavirus vaccines in Scotland for the first time.

A further 81 military personnel are being deployed, bringing the total number of personnel supporting the vaccine rollout in Scotland to more than 200.

Fifty-seven personnel have been deployed to help health boards across Scotland with the rollout, while up to 24 logistic support staff, mainly from the Edinburgh-based 3rd Battalion The Rifles, will help with the running of vaccination centres in Grampian, Dumfries and Galloway, Borders and Lothian.

Minister for COVID vaccine deployment Nadhim Zahawi said the Armed Forces are playing an "invaluable role" in getting people vaccinated.

Ninety-eight soldiers from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards are already helping to set up 80 vaccination centres across Scotland.

A Vaccine Quick Reaction Force will be made up of medical and management staff – five teams of 10 will be available to deploy across Scotland at short notice to help the NHS deliver the vaccine.

Those teams are to be deployed from Thursday, to carry out tasks which include the administering of vaccinations at the Royal Highland Showground in Lothian.

In addition, 32 planning and support personnel are supporting Scotland's government and local health boards, the Ministry Of Defence said.

Royal Scots Dragoon Guards troops are already working to help set up vaccination centres across Scotland (Picture: MOD).

Defence Minister Baroness Goldie said: "The Armed Forces are an important part of the vaccine rollout in Scotland.

"They lift spirits and boost morale and I am delighted that they will be joining together with our marvellous healthcare workers to ensure the vaccine is delivered to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible to protect the most vulnerable.

"Our servicemen and women have provided expertise, resilience and flexibility to NHS Scotland in this huge logistical undertaking and these additional medics will provide surge support where it is most needed to administer the vaccine."

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack added: "I would like to thank all of our fantastic military personnel for their great work in helping fight the pandemic, right across the UK."

Cover image: A doctor from the Royal Army Medical Corps vaccinates a member of the public in York (Picture: MOD).