Boosters extended to over 18s after Omicron variant found in Scotland
Those aged 18-39 will now be offered a third jag, while 12-15 year-olds will be offered a second
Boosters vaccinations will be offered to all over-18s in Scotland, after six cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant were confirmed in the country.
The Scottish Government confirmed it would be accepting the recommendations from the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to help tackle the new variant, which also include a second dose for 12-15 year-olds.
Four cases of the new variant were confirmed in Lanarkshire and two in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
How will the next stage of the vaccine rollout work?
Confirming the move to MFR News Scotland’s national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch said: “The early science suggests that an immune response is a good thing to have against this version as well.
“Our vaccine teams have been working at an incredible pace over the last few weeks, and now they will model and look at this new advice.
“The new advice says booster doses for over-18s, and second doses – crucially – for that teenage group who have only had one dose up to this point.
“So we’re going to put all that together. Work out we’re going to operationalise that in Stornaway and in the middle of our big cities, and then we’ll be in touch.”
Calls for eight-day traveller quarantine rejected by Prime Minister
Meanwhile, Downing Street has rejected a joint call from the Scottish and Welsh first ministers for stricter travel restrictions to help combat the spread of the new variant.
No 10 rejected the proposal for arrivals to the UK to self-isolate for eight days, with tests on day two and day eight.
Currently, passengers arriving in the UK from 4am on Tuesday will be required to take a PCR test by the end of their second day from entry and isolate until they receive a negative test, while 10 southern African nations have been added to the red travel list.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We believe that the approach we've taken is the proportionate one to the evidence that we currently have available about this variant.
"Introducing further isolation requirements and testing requirements would have a detrimental effect on the travel industry and indeed those who are planning to go travelling."
Downing Street also rejected a call from Nicola Sturgeon and Wales's First Minister Mark Drakeford to hold an an urgent Cobra meeting with representatives from the four UK nations to discuss the new variant after the six cases in Scotland followed three confirmed in England.
The pair also called for a guarantee that the Treasury will fully fund any business support required.
FM hoping for the best...but preparing for the worst
Addressing the situation in Scotland at a briefing on the new variant, Ms Sturgeon urged people to "prepare for the worst" but said she was hoping for the best.
She said some of the cases identified have no travel history, which suggests there is a degree of community transmission, but there is currently no suggestion this is either sustained or widespread.