Care home residents in Renfrewshire have been given an early Christmas ‘gift’ as the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine got underway.

The potentially lifesaving jab is being administered to elderly people who are at high risk of suffering serious health problems if they catch the virus.

A team of NHS nurses began the huge task of rolling out the vaccine at local care homes on Friday.

Previously, the jab was only available to care home staff and frontline workers.

Bishopton man Frank Cooke was the first care home resident in Renfrewshire to receive the vaccine.

Frank, who has lived in Ailsa Lodge Care Home for many years, was happy to take the jab on Friday.

He was then followed by 33 other residents at the Ferry Road home.

“Somebody’s got to be the first one, haven’t they?” 71-year-old Frank told The Gazette.

“It went fine on Friday and there have been no after-effects so far.

“I would definitely encourage people to take the vaccine, as it’s there for a reason.

“It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

The vaccines were administered by five NHS nurses over the course of two hours at the McKenzie Care-run home.

Sara Ann Turner, manager of Ailsa Lodge Care Home, said: “I’m really proud that we were the first in Renfrewshire to receive the vaccine.

“The care home has been doing so well, as we’ve been Covid-free, and the residents coped really well with the vaccinations on Friday.

“I have received a number of calls from residents’ relatives who said how happy they were that their mums and dads were getting the vaccination.”

Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, chair of the Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board, added: “We are working closely with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Scottish Government to support the delivery of the first phase of the vaccination programme and have already begun the programme for care home staff working in older people’s services in Renfrewshire.

“The extension of this to older people in care homes is an important milestone and, while it will take time to reach everyone, this is a positive next step in the fight against the virus and will provide some real optimism across our communities.”