Three deaths in Scotland linked to 'adverse effects' of coronavirus vaccines

Health experts have sought to reassure the public about the safety of coronavirus vaccines after it emerged three deaths in Scotland had been linked to jabs.

National Records of Scotland said on Wednesday that “adverse effects of Covid-19 vaccines” had been recorded as the underlying cause of death in the trio of cases, amid fears more people are refusing doses due to fears of extreme side effects.

A report said that the fatalities should be seen in the context of more than 2.8 million residents in Scotland having received at least one dose.

Linda Bauld, professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh, said that the “vast, vast majority” of side effects were mild with severe cases emerging only “very rarely”.

She added: "We have been aware of the rare blood clots that we think are linked to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine... but it's not always possible to say the vaccine caused it. There may be other contributory factors."

In some health board areas, officials have reported a rise in people refusing the AstraZeneca vaccine, following the link to blood clots, as younger groups become eligible for jabs.

People in their 20s and 30s are being given a choice about which vaccine they receive, although those in their 40s are not.

NHS Grampian said the proportion of people in their forties failing to attend appointments ranged from 20 per cent to 50 per cent, although they believe this is partly due to work and family commitments.

Meanwhile, it was announced that Scotland is to introduce a form of vaccine passports for overseas travellers, despite officials warning against non-essential foreign trips.

Those who have been vaccinated can download a letter from an NHS website, or request a letter from a helpline if they are not online, in case countries begin to demand evidence of vaccination as a condition of entry.

But as details of the vaccination status scheme were announced, Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith urged people to be "highly cautious about international travel" and "continue to limit their travel abroad".

Opposition parties at Holyrood said they did not oppose a scheme for overseas travel but warned that proof of vaccination should not be needed for journeys within the UK or to gain access to venues such as restaurants and bars.

Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman, said: “The Scottish Government should make it clear that the vaccine certificate is for foreign travel only, and that they are not needed for domestic travel across Britain.”

Willie Rennie, the Scottish LibDem leader, said: “Whilst we have no major issues with the limited use of such vaccine passports for international travel when other countries require it, Liberal Democrats are very concerned about the possible widespread use for domestic purposes.

"It would be a major step for the government to require medical treatment for access to everyday services.”