The number of children immunised with the controversial MMR vaccine has passed a key target for the first time to reach a record high.
The number of children immunised with the controversial MMR vaccine has passed a key target for the first time to reach a record high.
Latest official figures yesterday for the third quarter of 2008 showed that the number of five-year-olds in Scotland who received at least one dose of the triple measles, mumps and rubella jab passed 95%, the first time that target was met since being set two years ago.
The 95.4% record level coincided with the publication of separate statistics showing Scotland has more GPs, dentists, consultants, nurses and midwives than ever before.
NHS Scotland's total workforce increased by 3412 (2.1%) last year to 165,551 at the end of September. There was a 13.5% rise in the number of consultants, up by 546 to 4581, while the number of GPs rose 4.1% to 4916.
The number of "whole-time equivalent" nurses and midwives rose 1.2% to about 57,750.
The Royal College of Nursing warned that other official data showed that almost three in 10 nursing students drop out before completing their course. Student attrition rates in Scotland rose from 26.4% to 28.2% in 2007.
