COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Underway in Borders' Care Homes

That the Parliament welcomes the commencement of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Borders’ care homes, following confirmation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency that the vaccine can be packed down into smaller sizes and moved directly to care homes to administer to residents and staff on site; understands that the programme will take place over a two-week period and see residents and staff vaccinated by a team of community vaccinators, comprising of district nurses and local GPs; notes that the programme has already been successfully launched in the area, with a number of health and care staff receiving their first dose initially; believes that the roll- out to the care homes will offer a significant level of reassurance to some of the most vulnerable in society and their loved ones that protection from the virus is possible ,and thanks all staff involved across health and social care for their hard work in ensuring that care home residents receive this vaccine.