Residents in elderly care homes, people aged 75 and over and those aged over five with a weakened immune system will be eligible for a spring Covid-19 vaccine booster in Scotland. Health Secretary Humza Yousaf confirmed the booster programme following publication of advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
Top-up jags north of the border are expected to start before the end of the month. Mr Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government welcomes the advice from the JCVI that, in order to maximise protection in those most vulnerable to serious illness, an extra Covid-19 booster vaccine should be offered to certain priority groups in spring 2023.
"Prioritising those most at risk has been our approach from the outset. It is expected our spring programme will start in the final week of March with residents in care homes for older adults first to get the additional booster.
"The vaccination will then be offered to people aged 75 and over followed by those aged five and over with a weakened immune system. We also note earlier advice from the JCVI on advice on targeting primary course vaccinations to allow more efficient use of NHS resources over the course of this year.
“This will see the offer to everyone of a primary course of Covid-19 vaccinations changing on June 30 2023, coinciding with the end of the spring booster campaign. After this date, those aged five-49 with no underlying health conditions, who have not yet taken up the offer, will no longer be eligible to do so.
"Those in higher risk groups will still be able to access the primary offer during seasonal campaigns such as winter 2023. Vaccination has been our most effective tool against Covid-19. However, the degree of protection offered fades 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.”
Professor Wei Shen Lim, chairman of the JCVI’s Covid-19 committee, said: “Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself against Covid-19 and the spring booster programme provides an opportunity for those who are at highest risk of severe illness to keep their immunity topped up.
“This year’s spring programme will bridge the gap to the planned booster programme in the autumn, enabling those who are most vulnerable to be well protected throughout the summer.”
The Scottish Government previously announced the booster drive for healthy 16 to 49-year-olds, and the autumn 2022 vaccine drive, will end on March 31.
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