The Scottish government will “move as quickly as possible” to vaccinate 12- to 15-year-olds if the UK’s vaccination body recommends it, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said this afternoon.

Last week, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the Pfizer jab was safe for use in younger people.

Ms Sturgeon told MSPs in the Scottish Parliament today that officials would look to vaccinate those aged 12 to 15 if the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends it.

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“The Scottish government is now awaiting advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on the vaccination of children in those age groups,” Ms Sturgeon said.

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“I’m sure everyone would agree that it is vital that we continue to rely on expert advice in all of our vaccination decisions.

“However, vaccination may well be an important way of giving children greater protection, minimising any further disruption to schooling, and further reducing community transmission of the virus.

“And so I can confirm that if the JCVI recommends the use of the vaccine for children aged 12 and over, we will move as quickly as possible to implement the advice.”

More details will follow.