Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine rollout expanded

The coronavirus vaccination programme has been expanded, with the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab now available at more than 1,000 sites in Scotland.

Doses of the vaccine will be administered at GP practices and community centres across the country from today, having already been given to people in primary care settings in NHS Tayside, Lothian, Orkney and Highland. 

The Scottish Government has an allocation of 533,640 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in January, which was approved for use in the UK on December 30. 

Those over the age of 80 will be invited to attend for vaccination by their local health board or GP practice, either by letter or phone.

Health secretary Jeane Freeman said: "The delivery of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is a major development for the biggest vaccination programme we have ever delivered. 

"I would like to thank everyone involved for their continued efforts to ensure the pace of the programme continues. Next week I will update parliament with further logistical detail of the vaccination programme.

"We have over 1,100 vaccination sites, including over 750 GP practices with a growing core of over 3,000 trained vaccinators to deliver the vaccine. 

"When it is your turn to be vaccinated you will be contacted by your local health board and I urge you to please take up the offer. Please do not contact your GP but wait for your letter or phone call. And please remember that when the time comes for your second dose, it is crucial you get it as this is vital for longer term protection and to complete the course.

"As ever, we are dependent on the vaccine supply and we continue to explore all possible options to speed up the delivery of all vaccine and bring forward timescales where possible."