Nicola Sturgeon said the AstraZenica vaccine is safe and urged people to take up the offer when they get their appointment

The First Minister said some countries, Netherlands and Republic of Ireland, have paused the use of AstraZenica vaccine.

She said: "In the UK the decision to suspend the use of any vaccine is matter for Medicines and Healthcare Regulations Authority.

"It has confirmed there is no current evidence of increase in blood clots from the AstraZeneca vaccine.

"MHRA is continuing to monitor carefully. There is significant and growing evidence of reducing death and vaccination continues to make good progress.

"We continue to urge people to come forward for vaccinations."

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Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer, said he has every confidence in the vaccine and the vaccinations programme.

He said: “There is no causal link between the incidences of blood clots and the AstraZenica vaccine.”

The total number of people vaccinated with a first dose is now 1,908,991 including another 20,294 on Sunday.

Sturgeon said that she expects to see the number of vaccinations given to increase in the coming weeks.

She said that around 400,000 a week should be administered and that the target of everyone over 50 and all those with underlying health conditions would be vaccinated by mid-April.