The Scottish Government has announced it will go ahead with an autumn/winter Covid booster vaccine programme later this year.
The news comes as the country experiences a new wave of infections, caused by the BA.4 and BA.5 variants.
A further booster vaccination will be offered to those at highest risk of severe Covid-19 from September, in line with other nations in the UK.
Who will be eligible for a booster this autumn?
Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the following groups will be offered an additional dose in a community clinic:
- residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
- frontline health and social care workers
- all adults aged 50 years and over
- those aged five to 49 years in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women
- those aged five to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- carers aged 16-49 years
Where possible, these boosters will be given at the same time as the flu vaccination to those who are eligible.
As with previous Covid-19 vaccination campaigns, frontline health workers and those most vulnerable will be prioritised.
How do I make my appointment for my booster?
The Scottish Government has advised letters will be sent to the first eligible groups from September with an appointment time and date.
They say more information will be made available in due course. However in the meantime, those eligible for a booster need not do anything.
‘Vaccination is our most effective tool against coronavirus’
Speaking about the news of the autumn/winter booster programme, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The vaccination programme in Scotland continues to be a huge success.
“This is testament to the efforts of everyone involved in its delivery and all those who took up their appointment offers.
“Vaccination has been our most effective tool against coronavirus. However, the degree of protection offered wanes over time.
“We know that those in high-priority groups are at higher risk of serious illness from Covid-19, and I therefore welcome this latest advice from the JCVI and can confirm that boosters will be offered to all those in eligible groups.
“The additional booster dose will improve your level of protection significantly and is the best way to protect yourself, your family and of course the NHS when we head into the busy winter months.
“I continue to encourage everyone to receive the doses they are eligible for as and when they become available.”
Covid Scotland: Cases falling across Tayside and Fife – but rising again in Dundee
Conversation