A top MSP has today called for vaccination flexibility as the Covid jab is rolled out across Scotland.
Conservative Brian Whittle believes people within lower-priority groups should be innoculated in rural areas in a bid to reduce the number of trips made by medical professionals.
The South Scotland representative has made the case to health secretary Jeane Freeman.
Last Friday, NHS Ayrshire & Arran confirmed that almost 10,000 people across the region had received their first jab with those aged 80 and over next in line for protection.
Mr Whittle feels a flexibile approach is needed to make best use of vaccination staff's time and to speed up the rollout programme.
He said: "The rollout of vaccinations across the country is the largest and most important logistical challenge of our lifetimes.
"It’s right that we prioritise vaccinating our elderly and most clinically vulnerable groups but, at the same time, we have to avoid sticking so rigidly to a template that we make the process less efficient.
"For vaccination teams travelling long distances to more rural areas, it makes a lot of sense to not just vaccinate the highest priority group, but also some of the lower priority groups too. This means fewer round trips and more time available to deliver vaccines.
"I’m pleased the health secretary has recognised this and agreed to work with health boards to consider when this could be appropriate."
