NHS FIFE say "considerable" progress has been made in the COVID-19 vaccination programme for people aged 80 and over.

And the health board said some medical practices were reporting a 100 per cent uptake among those offered the jab.

NHS Fife director of pharmacy and medicines, Scott Garden, said: "Considerable headway has been made in the vaccination of our residents aged 80 and over and we expect that the programme will continue to gather pace as the supply of vaccine increases.

“The staff working in medical practices across Fife are working diligently to roll out the vaccination programme as quickly as the supplies allow, and we would like to thank them for their efforts thus far."

Healthcare workers, care home residents and staff were immunised first as part of the efforts to protect the most vulnerable and maintain critical health and social care services.

Fifers aged 80 and over were the next priority group and all 54 GP practices in the Kingdom are participating in the programme.

Practices are continuing to book appointments as quickly as supplies allow and some expect to have completed vaccinating this group within days.

Nethertown Medical Practice in Dunfermline has around 480 patients aged 80 and over and practice manager Les Elder said: “We expect to have vaccinated in the region of 40 per cent of our patients aged 80 and over by the end of this week and we have had 100 per cent uptake among those offered vaccination, which is great.

"The timescales involved in a programme of this scale are a challenge, however, staff in our practice are working really hard to ensure that we vaccinate our patients aged 80 and over as quickly as the supply allows.

"We are arranging clinics as soon as we receive each batch of vaccine to ensure that our patients get vaccinated without delay.

“Our patients have been really understanding and we would like to thank them for the patience they have shown as we support the roll-out of the vaccination programme.”

In line with the Scottish Government COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment Plan, people aged 75-79 will be in the next priority group, followed by those aged 70-74 and those considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable.

These groups will be the first to be receive the jab through local vaccination clinics which will begin to open from February 1.

These dedicated facilities and workforce will be important to the timely roll-out of the vaccine and ensure GP surgeries can continue to deliver routine care and services.

Given the significant scale of the programme, patients are reminded not to contact their local GP practice for updates to ensure phone lines remain available to those requiring urgent assessment.

Mr Garden said: "Helpfully, local people have shown great understanding despite their understandable desire to see themselves and their relatives vaccinated, and this is very much appreciated.

“While we are pleased with the progress made so far, COVID-19 remains at high levels in our communities and it has never been more important to stick with the public health measures in place whilst the vaccination programme rolls out.”

Additional information on the vaccination programme is available at https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/vaccines/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine.

Local people with an enquiry related to vaccinations can call 0800 030 8013 (available 8am–8pm every day).