Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 16 March 2021
16 Mar 2021 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Covid-19
I do not want to be churlish, but I think, from memory, that Mr Mason is significantly older than the First Minister. I anxiously await my vaccination appointment, as I am in the age group that is beginning to be called for vaccination. Like most people across the country, I am anxious—enthusiastic is probably a better word—to be vaccinated. As soon as I get the invitation, I will be there to get my vaccination, whether it is with the Pfizer or the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The chief medical officer said quite a lot yesterday to reassure people. Vaccine safety is paramount and is monitored on an on-going basis. There are well-established schemes, such as the yellow card scheme, to record adverse events, so the monitoring is very careful. We are aware of no evidence that suggests a risk from the AstraZeneca vaccine. Our firm view is that the benefits of that vaccine far outweigh any risk that there might be. That is the view of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which is the UK regulator, and the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency have said the same thing.
My advice to people is to come forward for vaccination as soon as they are invited. That has massive benefit. People should be assured that the safety of vaccines is taken seriously on an on-going basis.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh)
NPA
The next item of business is a statement by Nicola Sturgeon on Covid-19. The First Minister will take questions at the end of her statement, and I encourage ...
The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon)
SNP
My statement will set out our next steps out of lockdown and back towards a way of life that is much closer to normality. I intend to set out in some detail ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, First Minister. We turn to questions.
Ruth Davidson (Edinburgh Central) (Con)
Con
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The First Minister
SNP
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Anas Sarwar (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
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The First Minister
SNP
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Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
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The First Minister
SNP
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Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
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The First Minister
SNP
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Annabelle Ewing (Cowdenbeath) (SNP)
SNP
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The First Minister
SNP
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Maurice Golden (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
When will the Scottish Government publish updated guidance on restrictions that are contained in the tier system, especially the restrictions in level 0?
The First Minister
SNP
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Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
What reassurance can the First Minister give to parents, carers and staff following reports of an outbreak of coronavirus at St Ignatius primary school campu...
The First Minister
SNP
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Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
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The First Minister
SNP
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Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP)
SNP
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The First Minister
SNP
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Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
The First Minister will know that a recent report said that, during the second wave of the pandemic, more than half of severe Covid cases involved transmissi...
The First Minister
SNP
There is a direct correlation between community transmission of the virus and nosocomial infection and transmission. As community transmission rates have fal...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
I was delighted to get the AstraZeneca vaccine on Saturday. I guess that I am slightly older than the First Minister, so I might have been vaccinated before ...
The First Minister
SNP
I do not want to be churlish, but I think, from memory, that Mr Mason is significantly older than the First Minister. I anxiously await my vaccination appoin...
David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
I am considerably older than the First Minister, and I am delighted to say that I have had my vaccination. Does the First Minister share my view that the goo...
The First Minister
SNP
It is good news. I was paying close attention to the news from the European Medicines Agency earlier today. The agency is carrying out further review over th...
Ruth Maguire (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
SNP
Today’s announcement is positive, but many families—particularly those on low incomes—who are sick or find themselves in vulnerable circumstances are struggl...
The First Minister
SNP
That is an important reminder that, in many different ways, the impact of the pandemic will be felt long after the Covid restrictions have been lifted. That ...
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Does today’s framework announcement confirm that we are moving out of lockdown nationally at the same pace, with no scope for local easing? Can the First Min...