MORE than one million people in Scotland have had their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
The landmark was reached today, meaning the vaccine programme has now reached more than a fifth (22%) of the eligible population.
Ministers said the rollout is now "moving at pace" through the 70 to 79 age group following the opening of mass vaccination centres.
The programme remains on track to complete first doses for all those in this age group by the end of this week, they said.
Those aged 65 and over are also receiving invitations for their appointment.
John Loch, 69, from Bearsden, was among those vaccinated on the day the milestone was reached.
READ MORE: Covid Scotland: Dumfries and Annan testing amid 'concerning' case numbers
The retired businessman received his first dose at NHS Louisa Jordan in Glasgow.
He said: “I am delighted to have received my vaccine, particularly on the day Scotland reached a million doses. It is exciting to be a part of this milestone moment.
“I would like to thank all the staff at the Louisa Jordan for being so reassuring and making the process so simple and straightforward.”
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “This is an important milestone in the biggest vaccination programme ever delivered in Scotland and I would like to thank everyone involved and all those who have taken up their offer of a vaccine.
“We have now given first doses to more than a million people in the groups which were prioritised to address 99 per cent of preventable deaths associated with Covid-19.
"These include elderly care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers and those who are at risk of serious harm and death from this virus.
READ MORE: Coronavirus: Deaths in care homes in Scotland falling 10 times faster than in general population
“Scotland’s Covid-19 vaccination programme is delivering ahead of our expectations.
"Our aim is to vaccinate as many people as possible with both their first and second doses as quickly as possible but the speed at which we can do this depends on supply and we expect a dip in supplies UK wide towards the end of this month.
“We hope to see a significant drop in the disease due to the vaccination programme, however this will take a number of months to evaluate fully.
One million people in 🏴 have now had a first dose of Covid vaccine. Thanks to teams across the country delivering the jags, and to everyone who has rolled up their sleeve. There’s still a way to go, but together we can beat this virus. Let’s stick with it https://t.co/gutapyG7Rq
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) February 10, 2021
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon thanks key workers as Scotland hits 1m Covid vaccinations
"In the shorter term, we are monitoring the uptake rate but we also have a comprehensive surveillance system in place to monitor outcome of vaccine efficacy and disease reduction.
“Each health board is working hard to get the vaccine into people’s arms as quickly as possible, and everyone eligible will be offered the vaccine as we work our way through the priority groups.
“We continue to urge everyone to take up their appointment when they are offered one.
"The vaccination programme is one of three key ways we are working to beat this virus, along with our expanded testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission and the important lockdown restrictions everyone in Scotland must follow.
"All these measures work to greatest effect when they work together.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel