THE pandemic has posed the “most significant” challenge in the history of the NHS, the Scottish Health Secretary has warned.
However, Humza Yousaf denied the health service was in crisis ahead of winter.
Opposition parties have hit out at lengthening waiting lists in the NHS.
Figures released earlier this week showed A&E waiting-time performance had reached a record low.
The Health Secretary told BBC Scotland's Sunday Show the Government had been making progress in reducing waiting lists before the pandemic hit.
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf urges Labour to rethink opposition to vaccine passes
Asked if the system was in crisis, he said: "No, it's the most significant challenge the NHS has ever faced.
"In the entire history of the NHS this crisis, this pandemic, this virus, caused the most significant pressure.
"Never has there been a time when so many procedures, surgeries and diagnostic pressures have been paused for so long."
He said the flu vaccine would be a "key tool" in reducing pressure on the NHS ahead of winter, with the Government aiming to inoculate people at a faster rate than ever before.
Yousaf also explained he expects to see further advice on vaccines for 12 to 15-year-olds in the coming week.
In a decision on Friday, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) did not recommend a mass rollout among 12 to 15-year-olds.
Instead, it suggested ministers should seek further advice on the wider impact of vaccination.
The UK vaccines minister has denied Boris Johnson’s government is not listening to the experts as he insisted Downing Street is yet to decide whether to vaccinate healthy 12 to 15-year-olds.
Nadhim Zahawi said if the UK's chief medical officers recommend vaccination then it "absolutely" is the right thing to do, but he said he does not want to "pre-determine" that.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) decided against backing the move on health grounds alone because Covid-19 presents such a low risk to younger teenagers.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon to give Covid update on reintroduction of restrictions
But Professor Chris Whitty and the three other chief medical officers in the UK are reviewing the wider benefits of vaccinating the age group, such as minimising school absences, and are expected to present their findings within days.
The UK Government is awaiting their advice before making a final decision but ministers have indicated they are keen to authorise a wider rollout.
Speaking on Sky's Trevor Phillips on Sunday, Zahawi said: "We have not made any decisions, so we haven't decided not to listen to the experts.
"On the contrary, all four ministers, the Secretary of State, Sajid Javid, and his fellow ministers in the devolved administrations have agreed to ask the chief medical officers to convene expert groups, including the JCVI being in that, to be able to recommend which way we should go on healthy 12 to 15-year-olds."
He said parents of healthy 12 to 15-year-olds will be asked for consent if coronavirus jabs are approved for their children.
"I can give that assurance, absolutely," he said.
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