Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Nicola Sturgeon volunteers at mass vaccination centre

The First Minister praised staff at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre jab hub after helping out.

Neil Pooran
Wednesday 22 December 2021 16:51 GMT
Nicola Sturgeon visited the EICC vaccine centre (Scottish Government/PA)
Nicola Sturgeon visited the EICC vaccine centre (Scottish Government/PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Nicola Sturgeon has visited a mass vaccination centre to help as a volunteer, saying staff there are doing “heroic work”.

She visited the newly-opened vaccination site at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Wednesday.

Ms Sturgeon posted a tweet showing her handing out lateral flow kits and speaking to workers at the centre.

However she admitted she may not have been much help.

Last week the Scottish Government said arrangements were being made for ministers, including the First Minister to help in vaccine centres.

The First Minister tweeted: “Did a (media-free) ‘volunteering’ session at the @eicc vaccine centre earlier.

“Not sure I was much help but it gave me good insight into how it all works (v efficiently) and to say a massive thank you to everyone doing truly heroic work.

“Many thanks to everyone – staff, volunteers, those being vaccinated – who spoke to me @eicc this morning, and to every member of every vaccination team across the country.

“We owe you all so much!”

During her visit on Wednesday, she helped with queue management and directing members of the public to vaccination booths.

She also staffed the recovery observation area where people rest for five minutes after receiving their jag.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in