Coronavirus Scotland: JCVI vaccine priority groups for rest of population announced

The JCVI have announced an order of priority for phase two of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) say those aged 40 to 49 should receive the jag first, after everybody in phase one (those over 50 and considered clinically vulnerable) have been vaccinated.

The committee said it had considered whether groups such as teachers or police officers should receive the vaccine next, but decided the most effective way to prevent death and hospital admission is to continue prioritising by age.

According to the JCVI in phase two people should be vaccinated in the following order:

• Those aged 40 to 49
• Those aged 30 to 39
• Those aged 18 to 29

Professor Wei Shen Lim, Covid-19 chair for JCVI, said: "Vaccinations stop people from dying and the current strategy is to prioritise those who are more likely to have severe outcomes and die from Covid-19.

You can find out when you will get to Covid vaccine in Scotland (Getty Images)

"The evidence is clear that the risk of hospitalisation and death increases with age.

"The vaccination programme is a huge success and continuing the age-based rollout will provide the greatest benefit in the shortest time, including to those in occupations at a higher risk of exposure."

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