THERE are “no plans” to make a Covid-19 vaccine compulsory in Scotland, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has said.
The Scottish Government has outlined its distribution plan for an inoculation to the virus, with hopes it could be available in the first week of December.
However, Freeman told the BBC there would be a public information campaign put in place to dispel any concerns held about the vaccine rather than making them mandatory.
She said: “We’ve no plans on making the vaccine compulsory.
“What we have to do is hear what concerns people have about why they would be reluctant to take the vaccine.
“In Scotland we have a very good record of high uptake of vaccines and we’ve a strong track record of delivering them safely and effectively.”
The public would be given “maximum information” on the processes that the vaccines being used in Scotland have gone through, which Ms Freeman said are “all the same robust and rigorous processes as any vaccine”.
In the early part of 2021, every household in the country will receive information explaining the safety of the vaccine and how the programme will work.
Along with government, the Health Secretary claimed those in the “globe-leading scientific and medical community” will also be allaying any concerns the public may have.
Freeman told the Scottish Parliament this week she hoped up to one million Scots could be vaccinated by the end of January, with 320,000 doses estimated to be ready in the first two weeks of December if approvals are given.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel