Two million Scots receive vaccine as Covid milestone reached

More than two million people in Scotland have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, as 44% of adults get the jag just over three months from when the programme began.

The milestone was reached on Wednesday, five weeks on from when the millionth dose was administered in February.

Receiving his vaccine on the landmark day was Ian Love, from Duniplace, who attended Forth Valley College’s Stirling campus for the jag.

The 60-year-old engineering manager said: “I am so pleased to have had my first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. It is such a relief and it really is starting to feel like we can start to think about a return to normal life.

“I want to thank everyone at NHS Forth Valley – the whole procedure has been simple and the local staff were very reassuring and clearly explained the process. I look forward to getting my second dose in around twelve weeks’ time.”

The national vaccination programme is administering the jag to those with particular underlying health conditions and unpaid carers, but people in their 50s started receiving the vaccine this week.

A self-referral online service has been launched to enable any eligible unpaid carers who have not received an invitation to register themselves.

The scheduling of appointments for group eight (ages 55-59 years) and nine (ages 50-54 years) continues.

Heath secretary Jeane Freeman said: “More than two million people in Scotland have now received their first dose of the vaccine. That this has been achieved in little more than three months is down to the enormous efforts of our vaccination teams.

“I would like to thank everyone who is working tirelessly to make this a success, and also every individual who has taken up their offer of a vaccine.

“Scotland’s Covid-19 vaccination programme is now in the final stages of vaccinating the first nine priority groups. When you are offered the vaccine please take up the invitation.”

Dr Miles Mack, chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland, said: “It is remarkable that a year after the first Covid-19 mortality in Scotland, effective vaccines have been developed, and are now being rapidly rolled out across the country.

“It is a testament to the hard working healthcare staff, military personnel and volunteers that we mark the milestone of two million first dose vaccinations, since the vaccine rollout programme began in December.”