Covid in Scotland: Three quarters of adults have had booster jabs

More than three quarters of adults in Scotland have received their Covid-19 booster vaccinations.

The Scottish government had set a target of getting 80% of eligible adults and young people boosted by the end of the year.

By 30 December, 77% had received the jabs. The government said high infection levels had meant thousands of people had to delay their appointments.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said it was not too late to get vaccinated.

He paid tribute to the people of Scotland for their collective effort and success in getting more than 2.98 million people "boosted by the bells".

Of them, about 790,000 have received their booster since 13 December, when the rollout was accelerated due to the threat of the Omicron variant.

Mr Yousaf initially set a target of boosting 70,000 people a day, but that was later revised down to 61,000. However, that was only achieved on five days.

Scotland leads the rest of the UK on first, second, third and booster doses, and the Scottish government said it continued to deliver one of the fastest and most successful vaccination programmes in the world.

In England, more than 70% of eligible adults have had their booster jabs while in Wales 71% of those aged 12 and above have had a booster.

Mr Yousaf told BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime programme that there was the capacity to give boosters to more than 80% of eligible people.

He said: "Unfortunately, we had a lot of cancellations, in this week in particular, given the high levels of infection but that shouldn't take away from the fact that our vaccination teams have done a brilliant job.

"It's been a phenomenal effort and Scotland continues to lead the rest of the UK in what is a very successful vaccination programme.

"We are investing in science, not just in vaccines but with anti-viral treatments coming on board as well. If we didn't have the vaccine, the situation we are in now would be far, far worse.

"The next few weeks will be really difficult given the high number of cases and the pressure on the NHS but I do believe 2022 will be a far better and far safer year for all of us."

Mr Yousaf said that in the week ending 26 December - with staff taking a break on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and amid high infection rates in some areas - Scotland achieved record-breaking numbers of vaccinations, with 77,927 jabbed on the busiest day.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that in the week ending 23 December, one in 40 people in Scottish households - not including care homes and hospitals - had Covid.

Mr Yousaf said anyone who had to delay their booster due to a Covid infection or isolation period could now arrange a new appointment, 28 days after their positive PCR test.

"To deliver maximum benefits we need as many people as possible to get boosted as quickly as possible," Mr Yousaf said. "It is everyone's duty to get a jab if you haven't already - vaccination could literally save your life as well as keeping family, friends and loved ones safe.

"And it is never too late to receive your booster - or even a first or second dose - so please come forward as soon as possible, as there is capacity available to get you vaccinated."

The expansion of the booster programme and other vaccine doses will continue into the new year and young people aged 12-15 who are still to receive their second dose will now be invited to reschedule existing appointments or attend drop-in centres from Monday 3 January.