Plans for the rollout of the Pfizer and BioNTech coronavirus vaccine in Scotland have been revealed by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman in Parliament this afternoon.
In announcing news of the rollout via a statement to MSPs, Ms Freeman confirmed that the rollout will begin on Tuesday (December 8) in Scotland at the same time as the rest of the UK.
Those giving the vaccine, people aged over 80, care home residents and health and social care workers will be the first to receive the vaccine, with 50% of the vaccine retained so that the Government can provide a second dose to those who have received their first dose within the specified time frame.
The vaccination of care home residents will start on December 14.
Ms Freeman says a full list of vaccination venues will be published as soon as it is confirmed, which will be before Holyrood's Christmas recess.
She said the 23 freezers allocated for storing the Pfizer vaccine at ultra-low temperatures are already in place in the health board areas, but the UK's national security services are "unsure about the wisdom" of going public with where the storage of the “very precious” vaccine is located.
She adds that it is now known that vulnerable people can be vaccinated in their care homes, and possibly even their own homes.
The Health Secretary also said that 16 and 17 year olds who have underlying health conditions will also receive the vaccine, and that pregnant woman and those planning to be pregnant in the next three months should not to take it.
Ms Freeman said that the Scottish Government expects the first phase of vaccination to be completed by spring next year, with vaccinations for the rest of Scotland's adult population to follow thereafter.
Detailed work and discussions are underway and will continue between now and Tuesday on issues such as data collection storage guidance and training for those involved in administering the vaccine.
