Coronavirus in Scotland: Over 575,000 people have had first dose of vaccine, says Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon has said 575,897 people have now had their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in Scotland.

Speaking at the Scottish Government daily coronavirus briefing on Monday, the First Minister added this included 98% of those living in care homes for older people, and 88% of staff in these homes.

Ms Sturgeon went on to say 80% of those aged over 80 in Scotland had now also received their first vaccination injection.

“We are ahead of schedule to complete first doses for that age group by Friday,” she said.

Work is now under way to vaccinate those aged 70 and above, with 14% of those aged 75 and above now having received their first dose.

The First Minister said by the end of this week everyone aged between 70 and 79, and all adults of any age classed as being clinically extremely vulnerable, will have received a letter inviting them to come for vaccination.

“We are well on track for everyone in these groups to have received the first dose by mid-February as planned,” she said.

She also welcomed the opening of mass vaccination centres at Edinburgh International Conference Centre and the P&J Live complex in Aberdeen.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Another major vaccination centre is already running at the NHS Louisa Jordan Hospital in Glasgow.

With vaccination centres also opening in communities across Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said more than 150 of these would be up and running by the end of this week.

“Assuming supplies of the vaccine come through as we expect them to do, this expansion of capacity means we are confident of meeting all our targets for vaccinating different groups of people,” she added.

Ms Sturgeon will use Tuesday’s statement to update people on plans for community testing of people without Covid-19 symptoms.

This comes after pilot projects were run towards the end of last year, with councils having put forward plans for making “much more extensive use” of community testing.

In addition, she will set out the Scottish Government’s position on schools and nurseries and “how and when we might be able to start to resume in-person learning and childcare”, as well as expanded testing arrangements for these.

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