A BORDERS MSP has called for a mass coronavirus vaccination centre to be set up in the region to help the roll-out programme “move up a gear”.

Figures from Tuesday (February 2) show Scotland has the lowest percentage of people aged 16 and over who have received their first jab across the four UK nations (13.45 per cent).

Rachael Hamilton, the Scottish Parliament representative for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, says she has called for a mass vaccination centre in the Borders to help with the coronavirus vaccine roll-out.

“NHS staff, volunteers and GPs have all been working hard to administer the vaccine, but the SNP government in Edinburgh must offer more resources,” said Mrs Hamilton, of the Scottish Conservatives.

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“Scotland continues to lag behind on vaccine roll-out, yet when I asked the First Minister about unused supply, she was quick to dish out the excuses.

“I have called for a mass vaccination centre in the Borders, because we need to see the roll-out move up a gear, if we are to lift restrictions, save jobs and protect businesses.”

On Tuesday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that, as at February 1, a total of 610,778 people in Scotland had received their first jag.

“That includes 98 per cent of all residents in older care homes – which is a truly extraordinary uptake,” said Ms Sturgeon.

“Vaccinating the most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible is really important, even if it takes more time to do so. It will help to save more lives.

"Our challenge now, absolutely, is to accelerate on breadth, in the form of numbers overall. And that is what we are doing.”