More than two million people receive first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in Scotland

Scotland's coronavirus vaccination programme has reached the two million mark for people being provided a first dose of a vaccine.

The milestone was reached today, just more than three months after the first Covid-19 vaccine was administered north of the border.

44% of the adult population across the country have now had a first dose.

Across the UK, more than 25 million people have been offered a first dose of a vaccine.

Department for Health figures show nearly half of all British adults have received a jag.

Meanwhile, Scotland's vaccination programme is making progress through groups 6 and 7 on the priority list.

This includes those with particular underlying health conditions and unpaid carers.

A self-referral online service has been launched to make sure any eligible unpaid carers who have not received an invitation for vaccination to register themselves.

People aged between 50 and 59-years-old have started being vaccinated this week.

Jeane Freeman MSP, the Scottish Government's Health Secretary, said: "More than two million people in Scotland have now received their first dose of the vaccine.

"That this has been achieved in little more than three months is down to the enormous efforts of our vaccination teams.

"I would like to thank everyone who is working tirelessly to make this a success, and also every individual who has taken up their offer of a vaccine.

"Scotland’s Covid-19 vaccination programme is now in the final stages of vaccinating the first nine priority groups.

"When you are offered the vaccine please take up the invitation.

"The vaccination programme is one of three key ways we are working to beat this virus, along with our expanded testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission and the important lockdown restrictions everyone in Scotland must follow.

"All these measures work to greatest effect when they work together."

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