The next phase of the Covid vaccination rollout in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is underway, with appointments being offered to people aged 45 to 49.

Health chiefs have confirmed details of their road map for the continued delivery of jabs, which has been credited with helping drive down infection rates in recent weeks.

The aim is for all adults in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire to be vaccinated by the end of July, depending on supply.

Those aged 45 to 49 will be followed by the 40 to 44 cohort, with those aged 30 to 39 next in line before jabs are given to residents aged 18 to 29.

In line with the latest guidance from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, those under the age of 30 will be offered Pfizer or Moderna jabs, after concerns were raised about a tiny fraction of people who had received the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine going on to develop blood clots.

Dr Emilia Crighton, deputy director of public health for NHSGGC, said: “We have made great progress in administering more than 560,000 first doses of the vaccine in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and I am hugely grateful to the delivery teams for how they have responded to this huge logistical challenge.

“Members of the public will be invited when it is their turn to get vaccinated and we ask that they please be patient as we work through the age groups.

“When you are invited forward, we would urge you to take up the opportunity to get vaccinated. You can get really ill with coronavirus at any age.

“The vaccine provides our best way out of the coronavirus pandemic and a return, in time, to the things we’ve all missed.”

Those who have been vaccinated are asked to continue to follow the rules on wearing face coverings, washing their hands regularly and maintaining social distancing.

For more about the vaccination programme, visit nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine or call the helpline on 0800 030 8013.