Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, said on Tuesday that she expected revised recommendations from Britain’s COVID-19 vaccine specialists soon and hoped that more youngsters will be administered vaccines before schools and institutions reopened in September.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) of the United Kingdom has advised that some children with underlying health conditions get COVID-19 vaccines, but has not suggested a wider rollout to children under the age of 18. find out more

Although the Scottish government has responsibility over national health policy, the JCVI advises the United Kingdom’s four nations on vaccination rollouts.

“We are hoping to get updated advice from the JCVI over the next day or so,” Sturgeon told the Scottish parliament in a virtual session.

“I am hoping it will recommend going further on the vaccination of young people. I am particularly concerned if possible to get vaccination to 16 and 17 year old … we stand ready to implement that as quickly as possible.”

She added that she was working on the assumption that there would be a booster programme in the autumn, following interim advice from the JCVI to prepare for one. read more

Sturgeon earlier had said she would lift most remaining coronavirus restrictions in Scotland next week, although the requirement to wear masks would remain.