COVID-19 Vaccines

That the Parliament welcomes reports that mortality rates from COVID-19 declined among care home residents following the roll-out of vaccinations, according to a study by academics from Glasgow and Edinburgh universities; understands that they analysed data on infections and deaths recorded in care homes from March 2020 to October 2021, and found that the death rate from COVID-19 per 1,000 beds fell from 45.8 between March and August 2020 to 29.3 from September 2020 to May 2021; notes that, from June to October 2021, when the vast majority of residents had been fully vaccinated, it had been reduced to 3.5; believes that this is the first study of its kind in Scotland to illustrate the impact of vaccinations on care home residents specifically, as opposed to the elderly population in general; understands that the study is also the first to examine the characteristics of care home COVID-19 outbreaks in Scotland beyond June 2020, as protections such as routine testing and access to PPE improved, and staff were less likely to be working across multiple premises; considers that this study is especially important as it undermines what it sees as the misinformation and disinformation around COVID-19 and vaccines; thanks all involved in developing the vaccines in extremely challenging circumstances; sympathises with all those who lost loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those in care homes, and thanks all healthcare and scientific workers for what it sees as their continuing dedication and service following the COVID-19 outbreak.