The SNP health boss admitted she needs to speed up the pace of Scotland’s vaccine programme after a furious backlash.
Jeane Freeman accepted there had been a lag one day after the lowest daily jabs total was recorded.
Official figures figures on Tuesday confirmed an improvement with 619,123 doses now administered in Scotland, compared to 8,825,371 in England, 440,706 in Wales and 258,311 in Northern Ireland.
The increase of 34,881 first doses and 496 second doses given in Scotland was the highest combined figure recorded so far – 35,377 – in part due to the opening of two mass vaccination centres on Monday.
It followed the record-low figure of 9,683 first and second doses administered on Sunday.
Freeman was questioned over the government response at Holyrood. Asked why Scotland was falling behind the other UK nations and English regions with the speed of the rollout, Freeman said: “I do believe that we need to vaccinate faster in Scotland than we have been doing, and I think the plans that are in place from this week onwards significantly increase those numbers.”
A political row erupted over the weekend when Tory Scottish Secretary Alister Jack suggested doses were available and not being used.
The SNP and Tory governments had earlier clashed over the publication of sensitive details on vaccine quantities.
But today, Freeman refused to clear up the details blaming the UK Government.
On claims there are “half a million” vaccinations in storage, Freeman said: “We cannot square that position with the Secretary of State for Scotland constantly appearing on broadcast media and in print quoting numbers to which we are, apparently, not allowed to respond. I make the simple point that he is wrong about the number of vaccine doses in storage.”
She also singled out NHS Ayrshire and Arran for planning clinics “too late” in the month.
Meanwhile, Jack wrote to the Scottish Government today offering to “help” and “mutual aid” including more access to the military.
In his letter to First Minister NIcola Sturgeon he added: “With that in mind, we stand ready to offer any support or assistance we can give you to accelerate your rollout programme.”
