Nicola Sturgeon to give COVID update amid missed jab fears

Nicola Sturgeon's latest COVID update comes after the government warned of an increase in the number of Scots missing their vaccine appointment. 

According to BBC Scotland a "considerable number" of those due to get their jab at the Hydro in Glasgow over the weekend, failed to turn up. 

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said there had been an "unusual number of cancellations and non-attendances".

It's understood this amounts to half of all those scheduled. 

The venue has the ability to administer a minimum of 4,000 vaccinations each day, with a capacity to scale up to 10,000.

The city is the only part of Scotland to remain in a level three lockdown, with restrictions on mixing indoors, and the sale of alcohol. 

Glasgow's overall seven-day case rate is currently the second highest in Scotland, at 136.8 per 100,000.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said there had been a "slight increase" across the country in those not attending appointments.

National clinical director, Prof Jason Leitch, said the numbers of non-attendees were larger expected.

He told Radio Scotland: "It's not simple, it will be a mixture of reasons. Some of it will be our fault because we didn't send letters in time or the appointments didn't go where they were supposed to go.

"Some of it will be vaccine hesitancy and some will be complacency. But it doesn't matter if you didn't attend, we just want you to come. Make a new appointment and come back."

The Scottish Government yesterday moved to open the vaccine rollout to all adults, but instead of waiting for their blue envelope, 18 to 29-year-olds have been asked to register online. 

The current system depends on GPs having correct details, but this younger group  - more likely to have moved recently, and less likely to be registered with a local doctor - could be missed out. 

The new service is open between 24 May and 4 June, with those who register receiving appointments by text or email from next month. 

Though anyone in this age group who does not register will still receive a blue envelope.

Leitch said: “We have used appointment letters to send to every single adult member of society. As we move into younger groups we are finding the ‘do not attend’ rate is increasing.”

He added: “We are asking 18 to 30-year-olds to start to register so that, when their turn comes, we know absolutely who and where they are.”

Yousaf said: “My plea would be to please attend and if you can’t attend the appointment you’re given you can switch appointments, rearrange and reschedule,” he said.

Yousaf said the emergence of the Indian variant in Glasgow meant it was vitally important that people get both doses. The second dose offers greater and longer-lasting protection and should not be missed, he said.

“We want everyone to come forward for a vaccine and we continue to work with community organisations to address any barriers people may experience to ensure that everyone is able to get an appointment.”

Annie Wells, the Scottish Conservative health spokeswoman, said the number of missed appointments was extremely concerning. “If there are any issues with people receiving their appointment letters on time, then SNP ministers must give health boards the resources to ensure that people’s details are fully up to date,” she said.

“That is even more important now as we encourage younger people to take up the vaccine and ensure we can safely ease restrictions in the coming weeks.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP added: "Younger age groups are more likely to move frequently and have less contact with their GPs so the government should be exploring a range of options as to how they can get people registered and get their jab.

"If you did not receive your letter, please check with your GP.

Meanwhile, the latest show that Clackmannanshire now has the highest Covid rate in Scotland, with a seven-day average rate of 139.7 cases per 100,000 people.

There were 72 positive cases in the seven days to 21 May, more than half of them in the Tullibody area.