AROUND 6000 vaccinations against COVID-19 are scheduled to be carried out in Dumfries and Galloway this week.This keeps the programme on track to have offered first dose vaccinations to everyone aged 40-49 by the end of Sunday, to those aged 30-39s within the first three weeks of June, and to 18-29s shortly thereafter.However, there may

ALL remaining first dose COVID-19 vaccinations for people aged 40-49 in the region have now been scheduled to take place by May 30.  Meanwhile, plans are being made to vaccinate those aged 30-39 over the first three weeks in June.  And, as that takes place, everyone aged 18-29 is now being encouraged to register to

NEW national directions have been issued placing an increased emphasis on second dose COVID -19 vaccinations.Instructions to Boards in a letter from Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer come amid concerns around the potential risks posed by the B1.617.2 variant which has been recorded in parts of Scotland.Fortunately, Dumfries and Galloway is already very far ahead in

We have been made aware by the national COVID-19 vaccination appointing service that some people may have received a letter saying they did not attend a first vaccination when in fact they did. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS LETTER. Instead, if you have received this letter mistakenly saying you have not received your first vaccination

A good community response has been helping to tackle a cluster of COVID-19 cases in Upper Nithsdale but a small number of new cases continue to occur, and are cause for concern. Calls are being made for anyone in Sanquhar, Kelloholm or the immediate surrounding area with any symptoms of concern to arrange testing for

A new Director of Public Health has been officially appointed by NHS Dumfries and Galloway. Valerie White is delighted to take on the permanent role following a formal recruitment process involving the Board, Scottish Government and Faculty of Public Health colleagues. Valerie has worked closely with Health and Social Care teams and resilience partners to

A REAL pressure is now being experienced by healthcare systems in Dumfries and Galloway – despite the decline in COVID-19 cases. As lockdown eases, and people are becoming more mobile and less sheltered, a significant volume of health concerns which require attention are coming to light. Carole Morton is General Manager for Acute and Diagnostics,

A CALL for patience is being made as appointments start going out for 40 to 49-year olds in the region to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Letters are starting to be issued now, and over the next two weeks, with an assurance that everyone in this age category will have been offered a vaccination appointment before the

A total of 25 new positive COVID-19 cases were identified in Dumfries and Galloway in the seven days up to May 2 2021. This was an increase on 23 new cases in the previous week. Similarly, the number of new close contacts increased from 244 in the previous week to stand at 273. A total