Two million vaccinated in three months

MORE than two million people have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine in Scotland.

The milestone was passed at 3pm yesterday, as records showed that the number of Covid-19 deaths fell to the lowest level since October.

Nicola Sturgeon said ‘virtually all’ of those over the age of 65 had received their first dose, along with 67 per cent of 60 to 64-year-olds, 42 per cent of 55 to 59-yearolds and 34 per cent of 50 to 54-year-olds.

All over-50s, unpaid carers and adults with certain underlying health conditions are expected to have been invited for vaccination by mid-April, the First Minister said. In a statement after the two millionth vaccination, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: ‘That this has been achieved in little more than three months is down to the enormous efforts of our vaccination teams. I would like to thank everyone who is working tirelessly to make this a success, and also every individual who has taken up their offer of a vaccine.

‘Scotland’s Covid-19 vaccination programme is in the final stages of vaccinating the first nine priority groups.

‘When you are offered the vaccine, please take up the invitation. The vaccination programme is one of three key ways we are working to beat this virus, along with our expanded testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission and the lockdown restrictions everyone in Scotland must follow.’

Dr Miles Mack, chairman of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland, said: ‘It is remarkable that a year after the first Covid-19 mortality in Scotland, effective vaccines have been developed, and are now being rapidly rolled out across the country.

It is a testament to the hard-working healthcare staff, military personnel and volunteers that we mark the milestone of two million first-dose vaccinations since the vaccine rollout programme began in December.’

The news comes as Scotland reported 12 more coronavirus deaths since Tuesday, and a further 625 cases.

Miss Sturgeon said the death toll under this measure, of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days, is now 7,529.

As of March 14, there have been 9,831 deaths registered north of the Border in which Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

‘Working tirelessly to make this a success’