SCOTLAND has overtaken England in the uptake of the first dose of Covid vaccines amongst adults.
The latest figures up to June 23 show that 3,695,303 Scots have received a first dose of the Covid vaccine, with 83.3% of people aged 18 and over now jagged.
In England, 36,564,938 people have received the first dose, with 82.6% of adults there having received one.
In terms of the second dose, 59.3% of Scottish adults have received one and the figure in England is 60.7%.
Wales is out in front with 89% of adults there having had a first dose and 62.3% with a second.
READ MORE: What does the Scottish Government's Covid restriction easing plan mean for you?
The recent success of Scotland's vaccine programme brought comments from the Scottish Tories back into focus from the start of the rollout when they accused the Scottish Government of "lagging behind" the rest of the UK.
In February, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: "The SNP’s slow Covid vaccine rollout is lagging miles behind the rest of the UK. They’re letting Scotland down at the biggest challenge facing us.”
Former Tory leader Ruth Davidson, who was leading the party in Holyrood at the time, also said: "At the moment, all the evidence shows the Scottish Government’s rollout is slow, stuttering and lagging way behind the rest of the UK.”
The National contacted the Scottish Conservatives to ask if they would congratulate the Scottish Government on its success, considering their previous criticisms, but they declined to provide any new comment.
The SNP have now accused the Tories of attempting to score "cheap political points" with their criticisms of the Scottish Government.
READ MORE: Health experts react to claim young men watching Euros are driving Covid spike
SNP MSP Rona Mackay (above) said: "It comes as absolutely no surprise that the Scottish Tories are refusing to give even grudging appreciation to the very many Scots playing such a critical role in the unprecedented success of our vaccine project.
"Douglas Ross's appalling attitude again demonstrates that the criticisms he leveled at the start of the vaccine programme was never about protecting public health but about trying to score cheap political points.
"At the start of the vaccine rollout, the Scottish Government assiduously followed best practice - as laid down by the JCVI priority list - which meant tackling the most difficult groups of people first because it protected the most lives.
"The Scots Tories knew that but they kept on sniping away from the sidelines and risking undermining this massive effort to turn the tide against this virus.
"It's no wonder the people of Scotland yet again rejected the Tories in May's election - they can see right through them.
"Meanwhile, the SNP Scottish Government will continue focussing on getting jags into arms while rebuilding from the pandemic."
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