Covid vaccines will be offered to 12 to 15 year-olds from Monday, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The vaccine will be available at drop in clinics and from September 27, letters will be sent out to all 12 -15 year olds inviting them to an appointment for the vaccine.

 The First Minister said the Chief Medical Officers and Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation have recommended extending the vaccine to 12 to 15 year-olds is justified to reduce disruption to education.

The JCVI said 12 to 15 year-olds should be able to get one dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government "welcomes and accepts this recommendation and will move to implement the advice."

Sturgeon also revealed there will be no changes to covid restrictions and said covid cases are starting to fall.

She said: "The Cabinet met this morning and decided not to make changes to the regulations in place."

She said across most age groups the statistics showed a drop or slowing down in cases.

Most cases were among people aged under 45.

Sturgeon said two weeks ago cases in under 14s increased by 51% but in the last week it fell by 5%.

For 15 to 24 year-olds, two weeks ago cases fell by 14% and last week it fell by 34%.

Among 25-to 44 year-olds there was also a drop.

Two weeks ago cases among the age range increased by 7% but in the last week it dropped by 14%.

The First Minister said the government was "strongly encouraging" students to get vaccinated with mobile units in campuses across the country.

Sturgeon added for schools: "High levels of infection in schools means face coverings will still be needed in schools until at least the October holidays."

And she said there would be no change to the current rules on self-isolation for close contacts in schools.

She said the government was "prioritising the health and wellbeing of children and young people".