NICOLA Sturgeon has been accused of a "humiliating" failure to meet a key vaccine target. 

Labour and the Conservatives said the Scottish Government is set to miss its target of having all 40 to 49-year-olds vaccinated by today. 

In June, Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: “By July 26, we expect to have given second doses to all 40 to 49-year-olds, and by August 20, all 30 to 39-year-olds will have had a second dose.”

But figures show that, as of July 24, just 75.8 per cent of 40 to 49-year-olds have had both doses, while 90.7% have had their first.

The Scottish Tories raised concerns two further target dates will also be missed. 

The party said projections indicate the SNP will fail to fully vaccinate all 30 to 39-year-olds by August 20.

Meanwhile, the target of delivering both doses to all adults in Scotland by September 12 could also be missed.

Scottish Labour's Jackie Baillie said: "The SNP’s failure to meet this flagship target is humiliating for them – but it should worry us all. 

"The First Minister was clear that the lifting of restrictions depends on the success of the vaccine roll-out, but their failure to meet key targets raises fresh doubts.

"From the stalling vaccine programme to the collapse of test and protect, the SNP’s complacency has become the single biggest threat to our journey out of lockdown.

"With the Delta variant still rampant across Scotland, it is more important than ever that everyone gets both doses.

"More must be done to make sure everyone can get their second jab as quickly as possible.”

Scottish Tory health spokeswoman Annie Wells said: "This is looking like a triple whammy of SNP failures in hitting their own key vaccine rollout targets.

"Just as the finishing line approaches, the SNP have stumbled at the crucial moment. 

"The vaccination programme has slowed down, yet the SNP Government seem to have no answers as to how to ensure people will be vaccinated on schedule.

The Herald:

"Hundreds of thousands of adults are set to be left without full protection beyond when they believed they would get a second dose. 

"The SNP became complacent and thought targets would be met without any encouragement from ministers.

"That attitude is unacceptable and means that restrictions that are due to be lifted in the coming weeks remain under threat. 

"That would be another hammer blow to businesses and people who have made huge sacrifices for well over a year.

"It is time for the SNP to face the reality that they will miss key target dates for the vaccination rollout. 

"They must pull out all the stops to guarantee people will be vaccinated as quickly and as easily as possible to allow us to return to normality."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "The vaccination programme has been one of the fastest in the world with around 91% of the over 40 population in Scotland now fully vaccinated.

"We have not missed any targets to date and our vaccination rates are broadly in line with other UK nations.

"All adults have now been offered their first dose and we expect that those who are eligible to be offered second doses by September 12.

"We remain fully committed to ensuring that everyone has access to a Covid-19 vaccine and continue to urge anyone who has not yet come forward to do so as there is no doubt that vaccination represents our best way out of the pandemic and the best way to protect ourselves, our family and friends and our communities.

"Some people may be unable to attend an appointment at a set time and will get their second dose at a later date, whilst some may choose not to attend their scheduled appointment – and we are working to make it as simple as possible for people to get their vaccines.

"Drop-in or open-access clinics are offered in all mainland health boards for those aged 18 and over.

"This is for people who want a first vaccination or are eight weeks or more from their second vaccination – regardless if they have a future appointment in the system.  

"In addition, health boards are striving to maximise vaccine uptake by supporting outreach in food banks, religious centres and workplaces, and we are working with large employers to encourage uptake among their staff.

"We hope to move beyond Level 0 on August 9 and that remains our expectation.

"However, as always this is dependent on a number of factors and we will assess the data before coming to a final decision nearer the time and will provide an update in the week before August 9."