The first Coronavirus vaccines are ready to be administered in Scotland next week, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed.
The First Minister advised the vaccination programme will begin next Tuesday, December 8.
Over 80s, priority older residents in care homes and social and health care workers will be the first to be vaccinated in the country.
Everyone will be required to take two doses of the vaccine.
Nicola Sturgeon confirmed: "We expect vaccines to be delivered over the course of December and we expect that to start to happen within the next few days.
"And, if we receive the first doses of the vaccine as soon as we're expecting to, and there is no reason at this stage to doubt that, I can confirm to you the first vaccines against Covid will be administered in Scotland on Tuesday 8th December. That is just 6 days from now.
"I'm going to say that again. The first vaccines against Covid will be administered in Scotland on Tuesday 8th December.
"It is of course worth remembering that everyone will require two doses of the vaccine - and that these are likely to be offered 21-28 days apart, so it's likely it'll take until very early in the new year to complete the first vaccine courses for any individual.
"But there is no doubt that being able to have this degree of confidence that we can start a vaccination programme next week is absolutely fantastic news."
And, as expected, the elderly, vulnerable and health and social care workers will be the first to receive the vaccine.
The First Minister added: "We will, of course, start by vaccinating the people who will be vaccinating everyone else, as you would expect - and we will then follow the independent advice we've received from the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation.
"They have recommended prioritising those with the greatest clinical need, including older residents in care homes, health and social care workers, and those aged over 80.
"These groups will therefore be the first people we seek to vaccinate. The authorisation which has been issued today has some conditions which, it's important to be clear, makes the Pfizer vaccine quite difficult to transport to some locations - especially individual homes.
"We're therefore in the process of planning just how we can ensure that all people in priority groups can be vaccinated. Overall, however, the high probability that vaccines will start next week is welcome and I think it is much-needed positive good news for all of us."
For all the latest from today's Scottish Government covid-19 briefing, you can follow our live blog here.
