First doses of Covid-19 vaccine arrive on the Isle of Lewis

Care home residents, their carers, and other frontline healthcare workers are first in line to receivce the vaccine.

Supplies of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine have started to arrive on the Isle of Lewis.

Lorries transporting the vaccines, which must be stored in ultra-low temperatures, were seen leaving a freight ferry that arrived on the island on Tuesday evening.

The roll-out of the vaccine got underway in Scotland on Tuesday – with those administering the doses first in line to receive the jabs.

After vaccinators have received their injections, the focus will be on vaccinating residents in care homes for older adults, their carers, and other frontline healthcare workers.

The Scottish Government says it has received an initial batch of 65,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with more on the way.

The vaccine must be stored at minus 70C (minus 94F) before being thawed out, presenting a logistical challenge in delivering it to care homes.

Planning is under way for the vaccine to be delivered to care home residents from December.