Young Scots must get the message on jabs

ALL of us, old and young, are relying on the vaccination programme to get us back to some form of normality.

So it’s frustrating – and deeply concerning – that those in their twenties and thirties aren’t heeding the call to get jabbed in sufficient numbers.

The restrictions that remain in place are putting enormous strain on hospitality, aviation and tourism. But we’ll continue to live under their shadow until Covid is forced firmly into retreat by mass inoculation.

The number of people getting their first dose of the vaccine has fallen to the second lowest figure on record.

Inevitably, there are now justifiable concerns that plans to lift all restrictions from August 9 may have to be postponed.

The First Minister has said any decision on Freedom Day next month will be taken ‘on the basis of all of the evidence’.

That is sound reasoning but, as Scottish Tory leader Douglas ross said yesterday, Nicola Sturgeon has to stop ‘mincing her words and tell it straight’.

The truth is the SNP’s slow and at times shambolic progress on vaccination puts the country at risk of many more weeks under Covid curbs.

Where is the concerted effort to get the message to young refuseniks? Indeed, this week it emerged the SNP Government had decided – belatedly – to drop its confusing FACTS public health advice.

There is no further margin for failure – the stakes are simply too high.

And young Scots must be persuaded to roll up their sleeves as soon as possible to head off the nightmarish prospect of lurching back to lockdown.