Nicola Sturgeon left 'emotional' after finally receiving Covid vaccine

Nicola Sturgeon said today that she was left feeling 'emotional' after receiving her coronavirus vaccination.

The First Minister paid tribute to NHS staff as she was given her jag, making her one of more than 2.5 million Scots to have received at least one dose of the vaccine on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Sturgeon had shared an image of her blue letter that had arrived in the post that had told her to go to the SSE Hydro in Glasgow for inoculation.

It has also been confirmed that she was given a dose of the AstraZenica vaccine, which she hoped would help remove concerns over the jag, which has caused concerns over some rare instances of blood clots.

Speaking to the PA news agency after her vaccination, the First Minister said: "It was totally pain free, I didn't feel a thing.

"The lovely woman who vaccinated me made it all really easy.

"I guess like many people I felt quite emotional because it's so important this vaccination programme in helping us all get back to normal."

Ms Sturgeon, who was vaccinated in the middle of an election campaign in Scotland, also urged other Scots not to delay when they receive their invitation.

"My message to everybody - as soon as you get the invite to be vaccinated, come forward, be vaccinated, because it's such an important part of our route back to normality," she said.

The First Minister also praised the work of those who are working to vaccinate the population.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon receives the first shot of the Astra Zeneca vaccine. (PA)

"Thoroughly impressed with the well-oiled machine I saw in there," she said.

"I just want to say such a huge thank you to everyone across the country who's delivering this programme - they're heroes, each and every one of them."

The First Minister said she was "glad" to have been given the AstraZeneca vaccine, about which concerns have been raised in other countries about the possibility of blood clots.

She said: "I'm actually quite glad I got AstraZeneca, because there have been concerns raised and I said that I'm confident it's safe, but now I'm not just saying that, I've also had the AstraZeneca vaccine, so I'm glad about that."