MORE than 50 per cent of eligible adults in the Borders have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, the local health board has announced.

NHS Borders says that, up to March 20, more than 50,000 Borderers had been given their first jag as part of the region's vaccination programme.

Since December – when vaccines were first rolled out – a total of 50,242 people have received their first dose, and 7,611 have been given their second dose (7.9 per cent of the population).

In a statement issued today (Monday, March 22), NHS Borders chief executive Ralph Roberts said: “It is extraordinary to think that, within the space of less than four months, we have achieved this highly encouraging milestone."

Between March and May, NHS Borders has been working through Wave 3 of vaccinations.

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The third wave includes people aged 16-64 with pre-existing health conditions and those in the same age group who are unpaid carers.

Mr Roberts said: "The co-ordination behind the scenes has been an immense undertaking and I am extremely grateful to everyone involved for the efforts that have been made, sometimes in the most trying of circumstances, to vaccinate 50,000 people – a number which grows daily.

“There are literally hundreds of people involved in the programme not just from NHS Borders but across care settings and our partner organisations including SBC, Live Borders and military colleagues.

"I would like to thank everyone for the part they are playing; including thanks to our colleagues in pharmacy and in primary care settings.

"Local GPs and their teams have been instrumental in the roll-out of the vaccine to those most in need and their knowledge and expertise has been crucial to the running of the programme."

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Wave 1 began in December when care home residents and people over 80 years old received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Thanks also to everyone who has rolled up their sleeve to receive the vaccination when it has been offered to you," added Mr Roberts.

"To those of you who have yet to be called, please remain patient. We are continuing to deliver the programme as vaccine supply allows and in line with the priority groups identified by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation.

“If you are offered a vaccine please take it. If you have received your first or both doses of the vaccine please remember that it is extremely important to continue to follow FACTS and the Scottish Government guidance to protect yourself and others from the virus.

"This is really important if we are to keep each other safe and allow time for the vaccination programme to complete over the coming months.”