The Government and NHS deserve the highest praise for the successful roll-out of the vaccination programme in care homes. It has been inspiring to see this sector receiving top priority at last.
But the scale of the achievement must not be an excuse for complacency. We must now open up these homes again, allow proper visits by loved ones and release residents from the heavy bonds of confinement.
Two steps are urgently required. Firstly, to fulfil the promise to protect all residents, by offering a second jab.
I understand there are limited supplies but now that so many doses have been secured and new products are soon to be made available, care home residents must receive utmost priority. They should not have to wait 12 weeks for their second dose – it s vital they receive the highest levels of immunity as soon as possible.
West End star Ruthie, 53, revealed how she d had a distressing Facetime call with her mum Gloria, who suffers from dementia and is in her 80s, in her care home (mother and daughter pictured before lockdown)
CALL TO VACCINATE CARE WORKERS AS 3/4 HOMES HAVE FEWER THAN 70% PROTECTED
Industry bosses say it is now vital that the Government pushes to get care workers vaccinated against Covid to try and stop the virus from spreading at all in their homes.
It is not yet known how well the jabs will prevent coronavirus from spreading because trials only looked at whether they would stop severe illness and death, which they do.
Covid: How overseas holidays helped cause the second wave in Scotland – Professor Hugh Pennington scotsman.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from scotsman.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.