More than 5000 people receive first dose of Covid vaccine

More than 5000 people in Scotland have received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, the First Minister confirmed.

The rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine began on Tuesday and those who will be administering the jabs were first in line to receive it.

Andrew Mencnarowski, a clinical lead at NHS Lothian, was among the first to get the jab at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

Nicola Sturgeon said 5330 have now begun the process of vaccination as she spoke in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

People will be required to take two doses and these will likely be offered between 21 and 28 days apart.

Sturgeon said: “I can confirm that over the course of Tuesday and Wednesday, a total of 5330 people in Scotland received the first dose of the vaccine.

“During those first two days, vaccinations took place in all health board areas, with the exception of Shetland and the Western Isles. Vaccinations in those areas will start next week.”

The vaccination of people in care homes will begin from Monday.

Sturgeon acknowledged the programme was a “major undertaking” and confirmed weekly updates will commence from next Wednesday.

Sturgeon added: “We can all be hopeful that the start of vaccinations does mark the beginning of the end of the pandemic for Scotland, but the coming months will still be really difficult and all of us should do everything we can to keep ourselves and loved ones safe.”