THE vaccination programme in Moray will be accelerated in order to combat the “rapidly deteriorating” Covid situation in the area.
NHS Grampian yesterday announced “uncontrolled, sustained community transmission” of the virus is taking place in the region, with current restrictions failing to contain the spread.
Recent statistics show that Moray had 79.3 cases per 100,000 people over the last seven days, significantly higher than the rate in the rest of the country.
Nearby Aberdeenshire and Highland have just 10 and 11 cases per 100,000 respectively. East Dunbartonshire has the second highest number of cases in Scotland, with 37.7.
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The health board has launched an incident management team (IMT) to try to bring the virus back under control, and is urging people to get tested even if they do not have symptoms.
Today, the NHS board said that Covid jag appointments will be given to people aged 18 to 39 from Saturday.
Katrina Morrison, the clinical lead nurse for the vaccination programme, said the decision was "straightforward".
She said: "It needs to happen quickly and our staff have been mobilised to speed up the process.
"During the first few days, we will phone to offer appointments before moving to letter appointments from the middle of next week. You may not recognise the number or the number may be withheld. Check your voicemails regularly.
"Working together to reduce the spread in Moray will reduce the risk of further spread to Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen."
Moray is due to move from Level 3 to Level 2 of the Scottish Government's five tiers of restrictions on May 17 along with the rest of the country. However, there have been warnings that, should cases not go down, Moray will remain on Level 3.
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Health officials have pinpointed Elgin as the "epicentre" of the outbreak, but rising levels are also being seen in Lossiemouth, Buckie and Keith.
On Wednesday, NHS Grampian announced that 48 Covid cases were being linked to Elgin Academy, but parents were assured that it was still safe to send their children there.
A mobile testing unit (MTU) will operate from Elgin Academy from today and will provide PCR testing for staff and pupils on school days and be open to the public during the weekend.
MTUs will also be visiting towns and villages around the region in the coming days.
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