NEW figures have revealed the number of teenagers in Fife who have received two doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended that 16- to 17-year-olds receive a second dose of the COVID jab in November – extending the advice to those aged 12 to 15 just before Christmas.

Figures from the UK coronavirus dashboard show 3,995 people aged 16 and 17 in Fife had received two jabs by January 16 – at least 51 per cent of the age group.

A further 6,532 12- to 15-year-olds had received two doses of a COVID vaccine by that date, equating to 39 per cent of the age group.

It means 10,527 under-18s in Fife are double-jabbed – at least 43 per cent of the age group, based on mid-2020 population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

They are among 17,578 (72 per cent) who had received a first dose by January 16.

John Jolly, chief executive at charity Parentkind, said while measures such as face-coverings in schools and vaccines for under-18s were “inevitably polarising” among parents, their research showed the majority wanted their child’s educational experience to return to some form of normality.

He said: “Clearly, a challenge will come in reconciling the divide in parents’ views of the best way to achieve this, particularly when it comes to the role of protective measures against the spread of COVID.

“However, ministers making decisions on updating their guidance must keep in mind the impact on parents and on family life that their policies will have.”

Across Scotland, 67 per cent of 12- to 15-year-olds have had at least one dose of the COVID jab, including 27 per cent who have received two.

The rates for 16- and 17-year-olds stood at 82 per cent for a first dose and 51 per cent for second jabs by January 16.

Children aged five to 11 who have specific medical conditions which place them at greater risk from COVID-19 will be invited for their first vaccination from this week onwards.

Letters will also be sent to young people aged 12-15 who are at particular clinical risk from COVID-19 inviting them for a booster jag, 12 weeks after their last primary dose.

Any 16- or 17-year-old can book a booster online for 12 weeks after their second dose. They can also visit any drop-in centre.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The vaccination programme continues to be a huge success and we are so grateful to all those who have taken up the offer of a vaccination and, of course, every single person involved in the delivery of our national programme.

“In this next part of the programme, we continue to deliver boosters and take forward the latest advice from the JCVI regarding younger cohorts. They and their parents can find out more about the vaccination that is recommended for each age group at NHS Inform.

“We urge all those who are eligible for any dose to take up the offer to protect them, those around them and, of course, our NHS at this particularly busy time.”