Nicola Sturgeon under scrutiny over vaccine ‘discrepancies’ as Scotland lags behind Wales – The Sun

NICOLA Sturgeon is facing scrutiny over an age-gap lag in Scotland’s vaccine rollout.

The First Minister’s rivals have highlighted “discrepancies”, with fresh stats showing Wales surging ahead and already giving doses to over-30s in the fight against Covid.

The Welsh have also jabbed 30 per cent more of their 40 to 49 age group — 72.3 per cent compared to just 43.2 per cent in Scotland.

Health chiefs in England are now inviting 42-year-olds for first doses, while Northern Ireland last week began offering jabs to those aged 35 to 39.

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “The NHS staff delivering vaccines have our thanks but these discrepancies raise questions about SNP strategy.

“The vaccine rollout is key to protecting our health and restarting our economy — and the widest possible coverage of the population is the best way to ensure that.

“The SNP should look to Wales, where the Labour government leads the way in first vaccinations to younger age groups, without falling behind on second doses.”

Many health boards are still working through the over-45s group — but the Scottish Government says it hopes to have all Scots over 40 booked in “by the end of next week”.

The Nats have put their focus on fully vaccinating people with two jags — with Scotland carrying out second doses at nearly twice the rate of Wales and faster than England and Northern Ireland.

But figures show Wales has still vaccinated more of its population with both doses than elsewhere in the UK, with 29.7 per cent jabbed twice, compared to 29.1 per cent in Northern Ireland, 28.5 per cent of Scots and 28.3 per cent in England.

That’s despite Scotland dishing out second doses at an average of 0.87 adults per 100 per day in the past seven days, compared to 0.82 in Northern Ireland, 0.78 in England, and 0.54 in Wales.