Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to get their double-dose of vaccines as data shows that younger people in the 20s and 30s are being hospitalised by covid.
The First Minister said the data showing that double dose vaccination continues to provide a high level of protection against infection was encouraging
She told Holyrood that the number of people being admitted to hospital with Covid has fallen from around ten per cent of reported positive cases at the start of the yea, to around five per cent now.
However, she added: “We are also now seeing some evidence that the people who require hospital care are – on average – younger than during previous stages of the pandemic."
“In the latest week, the highest number of new admissions was seen amongst people in their 30s and 40s. The next highest number was of people in their 20s. Before the vaccination programme started, people aged over 50 usually made up the highest number of new admissions.”
She added that the data suggested that people are being discharged more quickly and spending, on average, less time in hospital than patients in earlier phases of the pandemic.
Sturgeon said: “In short, we are hopeful that vaccination is changing the game in our fight against the virus.”
As well as vaccinating the adult population the government is making preparations for the possible vaccination of 12-17 year olds, should the scientific advice recommend that, and is getting ready for booster vaccinations if they are needed during the autumn.
The First Minister urged people to make sure they get vaccinated when invited to do so.
She added: “And please make sure you attend for both doses. If you need to re-arrange an appointment; or if you think you should have had an invitation by now, and want to check up on that; please go to the vaccinations section of the NHS Inform website.
“If you had your first dose of the vaccine 8 weeks or more ago, check on the website to see if you can bring your second dose appointment forward."
"Getting vaccinated is in our own best interests – it makes it much less likely that we will become badly ill from Covid.
“But it also helps us protect each other. So please, when it’s your turn, roll up your sleeve and get the jags.”
