TWO-THIRDS of adults in Scotland have now had their first dose of coronavirus vaccine, figures show.
First jags have been administered to more than three million people, with the 66.6% mark crossed yesterday, said the Scottish Government.
Nearly 1.6 million people have had both shots of the vaccine, it added.
The national vaccine programme is currently inoculating people aged between 40 and 49, more than half of whom have had their first dose.
Scotland is on course to offer all adults a first vaccine by the end of July, if supplies are maintained.
Most of the country will drop to level 2 restrictions from Monday, with the exception of Glasgow and Moray, where experts are monitoring outbreaks of coronavirus cases.
Scotland’s largest city and Moray, in the north east, will remain under more stringent rules for at least another week.
Commenting on the three million jab milestone, Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said it is down to the “enormous efforts” of vaccination teams.
He said: “The vaccination programme is one of the main ways – along with restrictions and testing – that we are working to beat this virus and so it is crucial that everyone attends for their appointments when they are offered.
“It is great news that more than half of 40 to 49-year-olds have now come forward and had their vaccine.”
Nataliya Dasiukevich, 45, from Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire, received her first shot at the Allander Leisure Centre in nearby Bearsden yesterday.
She said: “I am delighted to have had my first vaccine and I hope it encourages everyone in my age group to take up their offer of a vaccine as it is by doing so and following restrictions we can start to think about a return to normal life.”
Appointments are now being scheduled for people in their 30s, who will be offered an alternative to the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine when it is appropriate to do so, the Scottish Government said.
Dr Smith added: “If the situation changes the advice is that vaccination of adults aged 30 to 39 years with any of the UK authorised vaccines is always better than no vaccination, except where there are specific medical reasons for not doing so.”
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