Scotland’s vaccine roll-out has slowed down considerably in recent weeks and the number of appointments carried out has now reached an all-time low.
That’s partly because many people under 40 are waiting the recommended eight-week period before being allowed a second jab.
It’s also down to the inefficiency of the blue letter system which worked so well for older Scots, who are far more likely to own their home and be registered with a local GP.
Many Scots under 30 are students or have seasonal jobs. They also move more often than other age groups for work or educational reasons and don’t always update their medical records.
It was entirely predictable that when the vaccine programme moved towards younger age groups, missed appointments would rocket.
The Scottish Government has responded by introducing walk-in vaccination centres, but these should have been part of the mix far earlier.
If you’re one of the many who have missed an appointment, you will have tried to contact the NHS vaccine helpline.
But figures unearthed by Scottish Labour show that many calls were going unanswered in May and June as staff struggled to meet demand.
The party believes if the vaccine roll-out is to be completed smoothly – with all adults receiving a second dose – the helpline must be adequately resourced.
It can’t be said too many times, but we must do everything in our power to ensure as many people are fully vaccinated as quickly as possible.
It remains the single best hope of moving beyond the pandemic.
Edge of disaster
A catastrophe has hit the German and Belgian border.
More than 120 people are dead and many more are missing following floods which saw two months of rain fall in two days.
If we didn’t realise it already, climate change has arrived in Europe.
As the world prepares for the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow later this year, you could not get a more alarming backdrop.
We are familiar with climate change in Scotland, too, from the storms in the winter of 2005 that claimed lives in the Hebrides to eroding coastlines and rising sea levels that could leave cities struggling to stay afloat within a few decades.
The focus in Germany and the Low Countries will be on rescue and recovery, but there will be political consequences, too.
Germany is heading into an election year and the Greens could be catapulted into government.
For all politicians, the lesson from the flooded continent is that this year has to be about the environment.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
