Delivery of vaccine letters for people over 70 begins

The delivery of coronavirus vaccine appointment invitations to people aged 70 to 79 has begun in Scotland. 

The Scottish Government is aiming for this group to have received their first dose by mid-February. 

The first tranche of bookings will be sent out in NHS branded white envelopes due to "distinctive" blue envelopes not yet being ready. 

It will include information on how to reschedule an appointment if it is not suitable. 

The government said it is on track for those aged over 80 to have received their first dose by the end of the first week in February. 

A new booking system is being used by health boards in Fife, Forth Valley, Ayrshire and Arran, Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lothian to schedule appointments for patients in order of priority. 

More boards are expected to make use of the technology as the vaccination programme expands.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: "We all know how easy it is to ignore some of the mail which comes through our letterboxes but these blue envelopes, when they start being used, will be very distinctive.

"All letters are being posted First Class and we have been advised by the Royal Mail that the distinctive envelopes will allow them to prioritise delivery.

"The letters will contain information about the time and place of your appointment and details on how to reschedule it if you are unable to attend.

"I would urge everyone to take up their appointment when they are offered one.

"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."

Those over the age of 65 and people who are clinically extremely vulnerable will receive their first dose of the vaccine by the beginning of March.