MSP welcomes vaccine programme progress

A Highlands and Islands MSP has praised NHS staff working across Orkney and Shetland for their work delivering the COVID-19 vaccine roll out, after it was confirmed that 4,000 doses have already been administered across the two island groups.

According to the latest Public Health Scotland COVID-19 Statistical Report, released today, Thursday, a total of 2,192 people in Orkney have received their first dose of the vaccine — approximately 11.73 per cent of the population.

News of progress on the mass vaccination programme was welcomed by Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said: “We owe a great debt to everyone who has been delivering the roll-out across the islands.

“And it is encouraging that, according to the latest figures, over 4,000 doses have been administered across Orkney and Shetland, which is significantly ahead of the Scottish average.

“A huge effort is being put in by health staff, managers and others in getting jags into arms.

However, Mr Halcro Johnston fears that Scotland may be lagging behind when compared with the rest of the UK. He has urged the Scottish Government to step up progress in the coming weeks and months.

He said: “We must accelerate the roll-out of the vaccine, get more of these life-saving doses into those who need them most and give us all hope that more normal times are within reach.”