Sturgeon ‘confident’ on jab rollout despite criticism of slow pace

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she would be “satisfied” with Scotland having the slowest vaccine rollout rate as long as the final, self-determined government targets are met.

Scotland has the slowest vaccine rate in the UK, latest figures provided by the Scottish Government show.

A reduction in the rate was recorded over the weekend, with Ms Sturgeon suggesting a possible “weekend lag” could be responsible.

Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said the first minister’s excuses are “wearing thin”, while the Scottish Conservatives accused the Scottish Government of putting a second referendum on independence ahead of the vaccine programme.

The first minister maintained Scotland is “ahead on care homes”, which are “more labour intensive”.

Without additional detail, Ms Sturgeon announced the government is looking at “piloting” 24-hour, sevendays-a-week vaccination centres.

Public Health Scotland said 415,402 people had received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine by 8.30am yesterday, an increase of 11,364 from the previous day.

A further 5,538 people have received the second dose, a rise of 155.

Deaths from Covid-19 in Scotland were recorded in the Glasgow City local authority area only over the weekend, but this could be explained by difficulty in registering deaths on Saturday and Sundays.

When asked during the daily briefing if she would be satisfied with having the slowest rate if her government’s own targets were hit, as well if she was satisfied at the adequacy of the country’s vaccine programme, Ms Sturgeon said: “Yes.”

She went on: “I am absolutely confident in meeting the targets we have set. I am confident and assured around the planning of this but I am not complacent on this.

“We need to make sure we are taking the decision on a daily basis and taking the decisions of supporting a wider service, to get this programme administered as quickly as possible.”

North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie questioned why vaccines were being left in fridges and not being given to GPS.

He said: “People see Scotland slipping further and further behind England on this critical public health initiative.

“It may take longer to vaccinate someone in a care home but that doesn’t mean the hundreds of thousands of unused vaccines should be left in storage when GPS could be sticking them in people’s arms.”

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “While vaccinations slowed over the weekend, the SNP were debating their plan for a second independence referendum this year.

“They’re putting a referendum first and risking Scotland’s recovery from this pandemic.”

Nicola Sturgeon claimed to be ahead on care homes.