NHS Borders has revealed the date when coronavirus vaccinations are expected to begin in the region.

In a statement issued today (December 2) at 4.49pm, the health board announced that the first jab appointments are set to be on Tuesday, December 8.

Vaccinations will initially be offered to NHS Borders staff who provide direct patient care.

A health board spokesperson said they “welcome the news” that the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine has been approved in the UK. 

The distribution of the vaccine is being co-ordinated locally by a dedicated coronavirus vaccination group.

NHS Borders' director of nursing and operations, Nicky Berry, said: “Today’s news is really exciting and means that if all goes to plan, next week we will start vaccinating the first of 15,000 people who will be eligible to receive the COVID vaccine in Wave 1, which is focused on health and social care workers, care home workers, older adults who are resident in a care home and those aged 80 and over.

“Each person will receive two doses, given 21-28 days apart. This means that over 30,000 vaccination appointments will be required; the co-ordination of which is a huge undertaking.

“We therefore ask that the public remain patient. Our staff have and will continue to work incredibly hard to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be vaccinated as soon as possible, in line with the national delivery programme.

“We will provide more information about future waves, including details on the locations at which the vaccination clinics will take place in due course as this information becomes available.”