Coronavirus vaccine in Scotland - Who will get it first and when?

Hopes for a coronavirus cure were bolstered today after a game-changing vaccine was approved by the UK health regulator.

Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccination was approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use across the UK.

The news will now pave the way for a mass vaccination programme to begin in Scotland, with doses expected to be rolled out from early next week.

Nicola Sturgeon hailed the approval as the “best news in a long time” and indicated that vaccinations would be begin for Scots “as soon as supplies arrive”.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has previously outlined the importance of getting the vaccine out to vulnerable groups first (Daily Record)

The Scottish Government has previously described its vaccination programme as the “biggest civilian logistical challenge in our lifetime.”

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman told MSPs last month that the first wave of jabs would be rolled out from December through to February.

It is hoped that 4.4 million Scots will be vaccinated by spring next year.

Government officials say they are following “independent scientific and clinical advice” from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

The body has published a priority list of people who are expected to get the vaccine during the first wave in Scotland.

Ms Freeman said that it is important that “those most in need of protection receive that protection first”.

The JCVI has listed those who should receive the vaccine in the first wave in the UK as follows:

1. Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
2. All those 80 years of age and over. Frontline health and social care workers
3. All those 75 years of age and over
4. All those 70 years of age and over. Clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
5. All those 65 years of age and over
6. All individuals aged 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality
7. All those 60 years of age and over
8. All those 55 years of age and over
9. All those 50 years of age and over

The JCVI added: “The implementation of the Covid-19 vaccine programme should aim to achieve high vaccine uptake.

“An age based programme will likely result in faster delivery and better uptake in those at the highest risk.”

Studies have already shown that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 95 percent effective and works in older people.

Nicola Sturgeon hailed today's vaccine news (Daily Record)

The UK has secured 40 million doses in total of the vaccine - 10 million of which are expected in the country by the end of this year.

Two doses of the vaccine will be needed, meaning that not enough of the potential cure has been secured for the entire UK population.

The Pfizer vaccine has to be kept at minus 70 degrees Celsius and presents particular logistical problems in transport and storage.

The Scottish Government has invested in fridge capacity across the country to help with distribution.

UK Government officials have also secured 100 million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine and seven million of the US Modern vaccine, which is also being rushed to regulators.