A second Covid booster dose is now being offered to high risk groups of people across Scotland.
Coronavirus infection can be more serious for those who are older as well as those with a weakened immune system, meaning it is important to ensure protection levels remain high.
To help ensure this, a fourth dose of the vaccine is being offered as a precaution to those who are deemed to be at higher risk.
This dose - which is a second booster - is being given to reduce your risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus, requiring hospital treatment or even dying if you become ill with coronavirus.
But who is being offered the vaccine?
Here is everything you need to know...
Who is being offered a fourth dose/second booster jab?
Some Scots are now being offered a fourth dose - a second booster dose - of the coronavirus vaccine.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advise a spring dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine for:
- adults aged 75 years and over (or will turn 75 by 30 June 2022)
- residents in care homes for older adults
- individuals aged 12 years and over who have a weakened immune system
How to book your fourth dose
The spring booster dose will usually be offered around six months after your last dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
However, you may be invited sooner than this in a bid to help protect against increased levels of coronavirus infections.
At the moment, you cannot book your fourth dose or use the drop in clinics for booster number two.
Instead, NHS Scotland will contact you to arrange your appointment at the right time for you.
Booster/third dose for others
Scots who 16-years-old ad over can book their third dose - booster dose - of the coronavirus vaccine online, here.
You will be asked for your username and password - the detail you set up and used to book your first two doses.
If you cannot remember these details or need other assistance in order to book your booster dose, you can call the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.
NHS Scotland recommends that you book an appointment for your coronavirus vaccine booster at least three months (12 weeks) after your second dose
The JCVI recommends that the booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine is offered to:
- everyone aged 16 years or over
- older adults living in care homes
- frontline health and social care workers
- people aged 12 years and over with a severely weakened immune system who have had a third primary dose
- children and young people aged 12 to 15 years who are at increased risk from coronavirus due to underlying health conditions
- children and young people aged 12 to 15 years who live with someone with a weakened immune system
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