Extra dates added for Covid vaccination bus in Edinburgh

The schedule for the vaccination bus run by NHS Lothian and the Scottish Ambulance Service has been expanded.

It was announced on Thursday that the bus will operate over the weekend in order to reach as many over-18s as possible.

The mobile unit is visiting shopping centres in West Lothian and Edinburgh as the coronavirus vaccination programme nears completion of first doses for all adults in Scotland.

Every mainland health board in Scotland is currently offering daily drop-in clinics where people can attend for their first dose or – if eight weeks have passed – their second dose.

Anyone who would prefer a scheduled appointment can also continue to self-register with NHS Inform if for any reason they have not yet had their first inoculation.

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Nicola Steedman said: “The vaccination programme has been a huge success and it is great to see so many people taking advantage of the mobile units.

“I want to thank NHS Lothian and the Scottish Ambulance Service for their help in adding this option to the programme and, of course, every single person involved in the roll-out in Scotland.

“Our route out of this pandemic is getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, that is why we are urging people to get jagged in July.

“We are currently working our way through the remaining people in the 18-29 year old group and would welcome them at the vaccination bus if they want to pop in while they are out shopping or walking.”

Steedman urged all adults in Scotland to take advantage of the vaccination programme.

She said: “If the mobile unit isn’t near you, remember you can attend one of the drop-in clinics being run in all mainland health boards.

“You can also rearrange the location of your appointment online if, for example, it is more convenient for you to be vaccinated closer to your work than home.

“All of the evidence says that the vaccines are working as we continue to battle the faster-transmitting Delta variant which is now dominant so I urge everyone to take advantage of the vaccination programme which is open to every adult in Scotland.”

Vaccination bus locations this weekend:

Friday July 9 and Saturday July 10 – Almondvale Shopping Centre, Livingston

Sunday July 11 – Fort Kinnaird Shopping Centre, Edinburgh