THE Scottish Government is rolling out the Covid-19 vaccine programme to youngsters aged from five to 11-year-old, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

Holyrood ministers had initially been waiting on the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to publish updated guidance on the issue.

But the First Minister says it has now implemented the plans after seeing a “draft” report.

She said: "l can confirm that ministers have considered this draft advice and are content to accept its recommendations. Throughout the pandemic it has been our intention that we follow the clinical and scientific evidence available to us and I'd like to once again thank the JCVI for their hard work in scrutinising the science and providing clear guidance.

"Discussions with health boards on the best way of delivering vaccinations to 5 to 11-year-olds have already begun. These will continue and we will provide further information when this approach is finalised. In the meantime, parents and carers of children aged between 5 and 11 need not do anything.

"This draft advice does not affect children in the 5 to 11-year-old age group who have specific medical conditions which place them at greater risk from COVID-19. This group is already being vaccinated."

It follows a similar announcement by the Welsh government on Tuesday after considering the “yet to be published” JCVI guidance – which has reportedly been delayed due to a dispute with Westminster.

The Welsh government said the JCVI delay was “perplexing”.

Responding to questions during a Plenary session at the Senedd on Tuesday, health minister Eluned Morgan said: “In relation to vaccination of children, the JCVI has yet to publish its report, although there are lots of clues in The Guardian and other places where there seems to have been lots of leaks come out.

“It’s a shame and it’s perplexing to understand why that has not been published yet. But I have seen a copy of that advice and we will be commencing the rollout of vaccinations for five to 11-year-olds.”

The UK medical regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), approved the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for use in children aged five to 11 last year.

The dose approved for children is lower than that used for adults and older children.

After the announcement, the JCVI said that the vaccine should be offered to at-risk children in this age group but is yet to announce its decision about wider use among children aged five to 11.

Sturgeon’s decision was welcomed by the Scottish Greens health and social care spokesperson Gillian Mackay MSP, who said: “This increased rollout will enhance the population’s protection and also reduce disruption to education.

“I am sure that parents and carers will be reassured by the extensive attention both the medicines regulator, the MHRA, and the JCVI have given to this rollout.”