SNP health chief Jeane Freeman admits Scotland’s vaccine programme needs to be faster

coronavirus vaccination programme. People aged between 16 and 64 with underlying health conditions that leave them at risk from severe illness from the virus are now receiving appointments for the jab.

Jeane Freeman, Unison head of health Willie Duffy said the private sector should only be turned to as a “last resort”.Duffy said some health boards have been employing private contractors instead of their own workers or NHS bank staff.According to the union, private contractors receive £231 for a three-and-a-half-hour shift, while bank staff or full-time workers cost just £56.63.Duffy said: “Many retired staff have also returned to practice to undertake vaccinator roles.

coronavirus vaccine - with the huge number of pensioners getting the jab. The latest Scottish Government data shows that 1,113,625 have been vaccinated with the first part of the Covid vaccine as of 8.30am today.

Jeane Freeman said Scotland should hit its target of vaccinating 400,000 adults a week ahead of schedule this week - but added the programme will then “need to scale back a bit”.A drop in supply across all four UK nations is being caused by work being carried out by Pfizer – the manufacturer of one of the approved vaccines.The company is having to temporarily reduce output as part of an overall effort to increase manufacturing capacity amid worldwide demand for vaccines.Nicola Sturgeon said on

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First Minister made the claim as she provided an update report on covid vaccine rates.SNP Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said last year she hoped the target would be met by the end of January.The Scottish Government has since faced intense criticism over the number of people who received a jab, compared with other parts of the UK.

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Jeane Freeman refused to say what that could mean in terms of restrictions being lifted – simply reiterating the Government would be focused on getting pupils back into school.Asked when it might be possible for people to go to pubs or non-essential shops could reopen, Freeman said: “I can’t give you that.”She told BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show: “Education has to be a priority, our children and young people have suffered a great deal in terms of their education and that is about their future.“Then

coronavirus vaccinators as the number of Scots to have been given their first injection passed three quarters of a million. Figures published by the Scottish Government showed that by Saturday morning, 786,427 people had now had their first jab - with 10,332 having received both doses of the vaccine.

Scottish Government has published new data showing the latest coronavirus infection rates across Scotland. A total of 6,881 positive cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the week between January 27 to February 2 - which represents 6.3% of people tested.

Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter.Shamed politician Derek Mackay has been savaged by the woman who hopes to win his seat exactly one year on from his spectacular fall.Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate Julie Pirone branded it “shameful and disgraceful” that Mackay has clung onto his job.It was a year ago on Saturday that he was forced to resign as SNP Finance Secretary.Details of his inappropriate messages to a 16-year-old boy

will be deployed to help administer jabs across the country's health boards. The additional personnel will make up a Vaccine Quick Reaction Force which will see five teams of 10 able to be sent across Scotland at short notice to assist NHS staff in delivering the vaccine.

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failed to hit the promised million jags – by more than 400,000.Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said in November that one million Scots would be vaccinated by the end of January, but the latest figures show just 575,897 have had their jag – despite almost one million doses being available.Read more.An evil hit and run killer who left Scots schoolgirl Robyn Fryar dying in the road after a late night crash has had his sentence upheld by a panel of judges.Shaun Gatti was driving at speed and on the

coronavirus vaccine target by more than 400,000. In November, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said that a million Scots would be vaccinated by the end of January, however latest figures show just 575,897 people had been given the jab.

coronavirus vaccine roll-out has failed to hit the promised million jags – by more than 400,000.Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said in November that one million Scots would be vaccinated by the end of January, but the latest figures show just 575,897 have had their jag – despite almost one million doses being available.If Scotland had even kept pace with England, an extra 182,000 people would have already been vaccinated.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon admitted there were problems with the jag

News of its opening came as it was revealed West Lothian has one of the lowest vaccination rates in Scotland, according to Public Health Scotland figures.Some 7422 people have their received their vaccination - 5.03 per cent.

Scot Squad creator and narrator Joe Hullait has announced that this series of the award winning show will be his last.

Covid vaccination programme.Furious relatives want to know why residents in care homes for the elderly with learning disabilities are being treated differently from those in regular care homes.In care homes for the elderly all residents, regardless of age, are being vaccinated and 95 per cent of them have already received the jab.But in at least one care home for the elderly learning disabled the residents will only receive their jabs in line with the community vaccination programme.A relative

ditch its plans for a second referendum on independence and instead focus on the country's economic recovery.Housing charities have also pleaded with the finance secretary to commit more cash to building 53,000 more affordable homes over the term of the next Scottish Parliament.Speaking ahead of the budget, Forbes said: “This is the most important budget in the history of devolution.