Sturgeon says Scotland will vaccinate teenagers as soon as possible if movement gets the go-ahead

Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish government would act to vaccinate teenagers as soon as possible if the measure is recommended by Britain’s official immunization body.

The Scottish prime minister said last week that his heart cried after news that the Pfizer vaccine had been declared safe for young people by the regulator, the Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

She told the Scottish Parliament that her government would not hesitate if JABS had the support of the Joint Committee on Immunization and Immunization (JCVI).

“It is important that we rely on expert advice in all of our vaccination decisions,” she said.

“However, vaccination can be an important way to protect children more, minimize any disruption to schooling, and further reduce virus transmission in the community. “

The SNP leader also praised the remarkable figures of vaccination north of the border, although he warned that the situation in Scotland was still ‘delicate’.

The latest figures show Scotland has recorded 695 cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, but no deaths.

Nearly three-quarters of Scottish adults have now received their first dose of the vaccine and more than half have received two.

But coronavirus cases are on the rise, with an increase of almost 50% in the last week.

Due to the uncertain picture, Ms Sturgeon said there would be no immediate change to coronavirus restrictions in Scotland.

But she said the vaccination program could reduce the proportion of people needing hospital treatment.

“So… our situation is still critical. The number of cases is higher than we expected. The virus still causes serious health damage. And, of course, it still has the potential to put pressure on our health services.”

“That’s why we need to continue to carefully evaluate the data as we make decisions about when and how to ease restrictions,” she said.

“But on the upside – and I want to stress that I think this is a very important benefit – the vaccines are doing their job, and that should give us all good reason to be optimistic.”