THE next phase of the Covid-19 vaccination rollout is beginning, NHS Lothian has confirmed, with adults aged 18-49 preparing to ‘roll up their sleeves’.

So far in Scotland, all adults over 50 and those aged 16-64 with underlying health problems have been in the first priority group and have all either received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine or have been offered an appointment.

NHS Lothian has said it is on track to complete vaccinations for those over 50 “shortly”.

It is also continuing to deliver vaccinations for those aged 16-64 with underlying health conditions; due to this group consisting of a large number of people who all need appointments, the rollout is taking longer to deliver.

But now, those aged 40-49 have started to be issued their vaccination invite letters, and appointments are to begin later this month.

Professor Alex McMahon, executive director for nursing, midwifery and allied healthcare professionals at NHS Lothian, said: “To enable as many people as possible to receive their vaccinations as quickly as possible, there will be overlap in appointments between different groups.

“We continue to deliver vaccinations for those individuals aged 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions, and are on track to complete vaccinations for those aged 50 and over shortly.

“If you think you should have received a vaccination but have not yet received an invite, please contact NHS Scotland as soon as possible. Full details of how to do this are available at NHS Inform.”

The aim is for all adults in Scotland to be vaccinated by the end of July, depending on vaccine supply.

After those aged 40-49 have been vaccinated, the vaccine will be offered to those aged 30-39, and then to those aged 18-29.

Those under 30 will be offered either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, in line with latest guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

As of 7.30am this morning (Thursday), 2,755,175 people in Scotland have received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and 898,231 have received a second dose.

In NHS Lothian, 406,903 people have received a first dose, 53.9 per cent of the population, up to yesterday (Wednesday).

A total of 109,061 have received their second dose, 14.4 per cent of the population.

These are the lowest percentage figures for any health board in Scotland.

NHS Lothian says this is the case as “across Lothian we have a very high proportion of the population who fall within the 16-50 age group”.

When the data is shown as a percentage for all of those aged over 16, the health board’s performance “looks worse” compared to others, as the number of those within that age group (16-plus) who are not yet eligible for the vaccine is high.

In East Lothian, all of those over 60 have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, with 99.3 per cent of those aged 55-59 receiving their first dose.

A total of 93.8 per cent of those aged 50-54 have received their first dose, followed by 33 per cent of those 40-49, 26.6 per cent of those aged 30-39 and 18.4 per cent of those aged 16-29.

Further information on the Covid-19 vaccination is available at NHS Inform: www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine