Scotland’s drop-in Covid vaccine clinics have opened for the country’s teens today.
People aged 16 and 17 will now be able to get their first coronavirus jag at all clinics on the mainland that offers the Pfizer vaccine.
The move comes after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that the vaccine rollout should be extended to include those age groups last week.
Scottish Government officials have been organising the expanded rollout behind the scenes since then.
Eligible young people in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles will be contacted by their health board and invited to attend clinics.
Scots have also been able to book their appointments on the NHS Scotland website from Friday last week.
Health secretary Humza Yousaf said: “In line with the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), those who are 16 and 17 will be offered a first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
“Arrangements differ across the country, and you should check your local health board’s social media channels to see what is available in your local area.
“I would urge all eligible young people to take up the offer of vaccination. You can find out where your nearest drop-in clinics are by visiting NHS Inform which will direct you to the latest information from your local health board – or through your local board’s social media channels.
“Our route out of this pandemic is getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, that is why I am urging young people to take up the offer of the vaccine by dropping into a clinic or by booking an appointment.”
The Scottish Government is also keen to extend the vaccine rollout to even younger teenagers later in the future.
Experts have already approved the Pfizer/BioNTech jag for use in children aged 12 and over.
Nicola Sturgeon is among the officials that have backed a further expansion of the vaccine rollout.
Scots will be able to find their nearest drop-in vaccine clinic here.
