Nicola Sturgeon has slammed Scots who refuse to be vaccinated against covid without a good reason as "deeply irresponsible".
The First Minister insisted today it was a civic duty to be jabbed against a virus responsible for thousands of deaths across the country since 2020.
And the SNP leader pointed to the success of the on-going booster programme as the reason covid-related hospital admissions have dropped among the over-60s in recent weeks.
All adults in Scotland have now been offered their first jab but there is no legal requirement for them to receive it.
The introduction of the vaccine passport scheme - which so far is focused on nightclubs, music venues and larger football games - is supposed to encourage younger Scots to get inoculated.
Sturgeon today warned the Scottish Government was actively considering extending the passport scheme to include cinemas, theatres, and some other hospitality venues.
She told MSPs: "Getting vaccinated remains the single most important thing any of us can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.
"It is impossible to overstate how important it is to get vaccinated - so if you haven’t already, please do so now.
"You could be saving your own life or the lives of your loved ones.
"You will be reassuring others, including those most at risk – some of whom have clinical conditions which mean that they cannot get vaccinated themselves. You will be helping those working in the NHS.
"And you will be maximising our chances of getting through this winter without the need to re-introduce any restrictions.
"Choosing, without good reason, not to be vaccinated is deeply irresponsible.
"Getting vaccinated, on the other hand, is a civic duty and the most precious gift we can give to others."
Sturgeon earlier told MSPs the booster programme was helping drive down Scots with covid requiring hospital treatment.
"Cases amongst under 60s increased by 14 per cent during the last week. Much of this increase was in people under 20," she said.
"By contrast, cases in the over 60 age group fell over the last week - by 11 per cent.
"This is likely to be due, at least in part, to the success of the booster programme, which I will say more about in a moment.
"The decline in cases amongst older people may also explain why – despite an overall increase in cases - the numbers in hospital with Covid have reduced slightly in recent weeks."
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