Two years after the outbreak of Covid, the virus remains prevalent across Scotland and the UK. This means many people will need a booster jab in the autumn to help fight off the virus as the weather gets colder and flu season begins.
NHS Scotland will roll out a booster programme for anyone vulnerable or caring for the vulnerable alongside the annual flu jab. Covid vaccine boosters will be available from this month through community clinics across the country.
As with the initial vaccination scheme, the jab will be offered to those most at risk first before widening out to other eligible groups. While cases of Covid in Scotland have dropped, there are still around 500 cases per day, according to Public Health Scotland.
Read more: Lanarkshire residents can get autumn flu and COVID booster jab from next week
Who is eligible for an autumn Covid booster?
There are a variety of people who will be eligible for the booster vaccinations, with priority given to carers, social workers and the clinically vulnerable.. Anyone also needing the flu jab will be given this at the same time.
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residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
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frontline health and social care workers
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all adults aged 50 years and over
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those aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women
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those aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
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carers aged 16-49 years
Letters will be sent to those who can get the booster jabs if and when they are eligible. For those who are less vulnerable but will be offered a vaccine, this could arrive later in the year depending on the roll out speed.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The vaccination programme in Scotland continues to be a huge success and 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.”
The government is urging everyone who is eligible to get their booster jab to ensure they are as protected as possible over the winter. This will be the same for vulnerable people across the country, not just in Scotland.
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