Full steam ahead as Huntly hub gets the Covid-19 jab done

IT has been all systems go at the Covid-19 vaccination hub in Huntly’s Stewart’s Hall since it opened last week.

In a change to the original plan, the Huntly hub is operating every week, seven days, delivering the vaccine from 8.15am until almost 8pm.

The over 70’s have been getting their jabs and it is understood that people in the 65 to 70 years category have received appointments for later this week.

Many have travelled on treacherous roads to get to the hub. In the town itself, wintry conditions have proved a challenge but on Wednesday, Councillor Gwyneth Petrie secured free parking in the Square for people attending the hub.

She said: “Parking has been increasingly difficult in the streets due to the snow, therefore Aberdeenshire Council’s car park team has agreed that people can park for free. People should leave a note of their name and appointment time on the dashboard.”

Appointment letters need to be taken to the hub so should not be used.

Aberdeenshire Council have made clearing and gritting the route from Alford to Huntly a priority to aid people from that area.

Royal Mail staff in Huntly have also gone the extra mile to ensure people received appointment letters even if their mail could not be delivered.

A woman, who asked not to be named told The Huntly Express: “My postie had seen the blue envelope but knew he wasn’t going to be able to deliver it because our road was blocked. They phoned me to let me know and we made a plan to get it.

“That’s going above and beyond the call of duty and it sounded like they had managed to contact a few folk. I am really grateful to them otherwise I could have missed the appointment and wasted a slot.”

Clinic coordinator, Caroline Greenlaw is delighted with how well the Huntly hub is running.

She said:”It is going well. People are pleased to be coming to get the jab and see it as a bit of hope.

“There have been very few call offs because of the weather and a lot of the folk have not been out of their homes for months and are having to come out into deep snow. We are making excellent progress – everyone is very enthusiastic.”

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