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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Daniel Morrow

Autumn Covid booster vaccine to be rolled out in Scotland - check if you're eligible

A number of Scots are set to receive an additional dose of the Covid vaccine later this year.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) yesterday issued advice to the government about the coronavirus booster doses this autumn.

It recommended that frontline health care workers and people who are considered to be vulnerable from Covid should receive a further booster to protect them over the winter months.

Experts came to the decision amid ‘uncertainties’ over any further waves of the virus in the UK in the year ahead.

The JCVI has said that the following groups of people should receive an additional vaccine dose later in the year:

  • Residents in care homes for older adults and staff
  • Frontline health and social care workers
  • All those aged 65 and over
  • Adults aged 16 to 64 who are in the clinical risk group

The Scottish Government has ‘welcomed’ the interim guidance made by the JCVI and is now working with NHS Scotland to plan for a new booster campaign.

Responding to the recommendations, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government welcomes the interim advice from the JCVI that, in order to maximise protection in those most vulnerable to serious illness, COVID-19 booster vaccines should be offered to certain priority groups from this autumn. Prioritising those most at risk has been our approach from the outset.

“We will work closely with NHS boards to plan for this booster campaign, in line with this interim advice and we stand ready to act on any further advice on offering boosters to additional groups in the future.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has 'welcomed' the new guidance (PA)

“Vaccination has been our most effective tool against coronavirus. However, the degree of protection offered wanes over time, which is why booster vaccination is needed to maintain the best protection against COVID-19 for those at highest risk of severe effects of the virus.

“Fourth doses of the vaccine are currently being given to those aged 75 and over and people at highest risk. These additional booster doses improve your level of protection significantly and is the best way to protect your health and those around you.

“We continue to encourage everyone to receive the doses they are eligible for as and when they become available.”

The latest Scottish Government data shows that more than 85 per cent of Scots eligible for the jab have received at least two doses of the Covid vaccination.

Almost three and a half million Scots (73 per cent) have been given a third/booster dose of the vaccine.

Pre-booster data released by the UK Government estimated that the vaccine rollout helped to prevent more than 143,000 hospitalisations in England alone up to August 22, 2021.

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