Glasgow health board says giving cops leftover Covid vaccines would be a 'waste'

It comes after Calum Steele, the Scottish Police Federation, said vaccination centres such as the Louisa Jordan had previously called local police stations to offer end-of-day vaccines to cops but that, for reasons "unknown" to him, this practice had been stopped.

He insisted cops did not want to "jump the queue" for vaccines but stressed that officers were more at risk because their jobs involved dealing with members of the public, often in close contact.

But the health board said that offering vaccines to police officers before those identified as being most at risk from the virus would contribute to waste.

Scottish Police Federation general secretary Calum Steele (Image: -)

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said vaccinators work to keep wastage to a minimum but added: "In rare instances where wastage would be otherwise unavoidable, we look to offer the vaccine to patients in line with the JCVI’s priority list.

"This means any potential for waste is even further minimised."

The vaccination authority deems age to be the most significant risk factor, meaning police officers would not be considered a priority.

He added: "Groups such as police officers have therefore not, as a matter of routine, been offered left-over vaccines.

"However, on a very small number of occasions, we have been happy to offer the vaccine to police officers on duty near vaccination centres."