The first doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine have arrived in Scotland in preparation for vaccinations to begin on Tuesday.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman confirmed the news this afternoon, saying that vaccinations will begin with prioritised groups to address 99 per cent of preventable deaths associated with the virus.
These include the elderly, care home residents and staff, and frontline health and social care workers.
Ms Freeman has also asked everyone to be patient as the Scottish Government works through these groups "as vaccine supply allows" and urged people to go for the vaccine when it's their turn.
The Health Secretary said: “I am pleased to announce that the vaccine is now in Scotland and being stored safely in order for vaccinations to begin on Tuesday. Science has given us hope and we are starting on a journey which will eventually allow us to escape this terrible virus.
“Following clinical advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) we will begin with those groups which have been prioritised to address 99 per cent of preventable deaths associated with COVID-19.
"These include the elderly, care home residents and staff, and frontline health and social care workers.
“I ask everyone to be patient as we work through these groups as vaccine supply allows. I urge you to go for the vaccine when it’s your turn, but continue to follow the rules as set out in FACTS. And we will eventually reach the end of this pandemic by working together.”
