THE chief medical officer has defended the Government's strategy of giving people a second coronavirus jag up to 12 weeks after their first. 

Dr Gregor Smith said that this longer gap may make the additional protection offered by a second dose "even more significant", as it does with other vaccines.

All four UK nations will now leave up to 12 weeks between the first and second doses of the vaccination, despite jag manufacturers recommending a three-week gap. 

Dr Lewis Morrison, head of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland, said members had concerns about the potential impact of leaving such gap between the two doses. These concerns from the BMA were raised at the daily coronavirus briefing.

However, the chief medical officer said that there were experts on both sides of the argument.

The Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises UK health departments and recommended the new strategy, said data showed that one dose of the Pfizer vaccine would be "90% effective".

READ MORE: Another four people die in Scotland after contracting Covid-19

Smith told the briefing: "This decision has been considered very, very carefully by the independent experts on the JCVI.

"The proper approach is to ensure we are protecting as many people as possible as quickly as possible and the data in terms of the effect is encouraging in that respect.

"What we see is a very high protection from that first dose which lasts for quite a significant period of time."

He stressed that "no-one is saying we shouldn't get a second dose", as it would offer higher levels of protection and prolong that protection as well.

Smith went on: "Much of this judgment that we are speaking about here from the JCVI is given by experts in this field who have looked at vaccinations and the performance of vaccines for many decades, and the common scenarios that they encounter when those vaccines are given."

He said he had heard a member of the JCVI give a "very, very good account" where he had explained that "what we see in vaccines is this additional protection is made even more significant when that second dose is delayed".

Smith added that there was "nothing to suggest the immune response that the human body provides actually declines in that 12-week period".

"In fact, [the JCVI member's] clear opinion based on his knowledge of immunology was that over that period it is likely to increase."

Smith said they would continue to monitor all the data, but that he was "confident that this approach is the right approach for the point in time that we are in just now".

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also said that plans to vaccinate everyone in Scotland who is over 80 years old by the first week of February are "well on track".

Over the next couple of weeks and starting from today, over-70s in Scotland will receive a letter containing an appointment to get a Covid jag.

Sturgeon said that all over-70s in Scotland should be vaccinated against Covid by the middle of February. 

However, the First Minister and Dr Gregor Smith, the chief medical officer, both stressed that it is not clear if the vaccination will prevent you spreading the virus. 

As such, they said that although those vaccinated will feel a "justified sense of relief", it does not mean that anyone can stop following other lockdown advice.

This is also important to remember, Sturgeon said, as the first dose reduces chances of becoming ill after around two weeks. It does not provide immediate protection from the virus. 

READ MORE: Covid in Scotland: Face mask rule change 'actively considered' by Scottish Government

Sturgeon told journalists that the Government does not yet have figures on the uptake of the Covid vaccine, but said it had been extremely high. She reported that some GPs practice had been seeing 100% uptake in the over-80s.

The First Minister stressed that although the uptake is high in the prioritised groups so far, it is key not to become complacent. She said we must get through the vaccination programme, and maximise uptake while doing so. 

The First Minister also took the opportunity to wish Scots a happy Burns Night.

She thanked those who had been involved in organising virtual Burns suppers in particular, adding that these digital proceedings were a key reminder of the restrictions we still need to live with.

The First Minister said there are "early positive signs" as so many people are complying with lockdown, but said we must all continue "to stick with it".