South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has expressed his concern that vaccination rates for the 40 to 49 age group are falling behind national averages.

According to the figures (as of Tuesday morning), across the south of Scotland, numbers of those aged 40 to 49 having received at least their first dose of the vaccine was below the Scottish average (68.9 per cent) and 72.9% in England and 79.3% in Wales.

Colin Smyth said: “The NHS in our region is doing all it can to stop the spread of this terrible virus but it relies on national supplies and direction from the Scottish Government when it comes to vaccinations. I am concerned that we are falling behind the Scottish average for vaccinations for those aged between 40 and 49 and that the Scottish average is well behind England and Wales.

“With the threat of new variants appearing all the time, it is vital that we get as many people vaccinated as quickly and as safely as possible. I have had a number of constituents aged between 40 and 49 getting in touch and asking why the vaccination programme in England is now covering those aged 30-39 but we in Scotland are falling behind.

“It is all the more important to catch up as Covid restrictions start to ease and we begin to travel more and to interact with more people.

“This means the UK and Scottish Government must work together to ensure a regular supply of the vaccine.”