Covid North Ayrshire: Nearly half of 12-15-year-olds receive first dose

According to the latest figures published by Public Health Scotland, 41.4 per cent of the age group have received their first dose, while just 0.1 per cent have received their second.

For 16-17 year-olds, the uptake is even greater, with 72.4 per cent having received their first dose while 12.3 per cent have received their second.

It comes after people aged 12-15 were invited by the local health board to receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at the end of last month, with youngsters able to attend a drop-in clinic or await appointment details to arrive by post. 

NHS Ayrshire & Arran Public Health Director Lynne McNiven said: “The roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine to all young people aged 12-15 marks a significant milestone in the vaccination programme.

"The Covid-19 vaccines have demonstrated they are safe and effective in this age group and vaccination offers the best chance of protecting young people from Covid-19 and preventing further disruption to education. Many countries around the world have already been safely vaccinating young people in this age group.

“I would like to thank all of the vaccinators and vaccine site staff who have worked so hard to get us to this stage of the Covid-19 vaccine programme.”

Across the health board as a whole, 34.3 per cent of 12-15-year-olds have received their first dose of the vaccine, while 75.4 per cent of 16-17-year-olds have received a first dose and 12.8 per cent have received a second.

Breaking that down by council area, in South Ayrshire, 21.7 per cent of 12-15-year-olds have received a first dose of the vaccine, while 76.8 per cent of 16-17-year-olds have received a first dose and 12.8 per cent have had their second.

In East Ayrshire, the numbers are slightly higher, with 37.2 per cent of 12-15-year-olds having received a first dose and 77.7 per cent of 16-17-year-olds received one dose and 13.3 per cent receiving two.