Residents in care homes for older people are the first to be offered coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccinations from today (Monday).
This group will be offered both flu and COVID-19 booster vaccines after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advised that they could be given alongside one another.
From Tuesday 21 September, frontline health and social care workers are able to book an appointment for a booster jab online at NHS Inform. The portal can be used by all health and social care workers to book a flu vaccine.
Meanwhile, also from today (Monday) children and young people aged 12 -15 years old can go to drop-in clinics for a vaccination if they wish to get their jab before they receive their letter inviting them for a scheduled appointment. Everyone in this age group will be invited for vaccination at a community based clinic or a school delivery session from 27 September.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“Many of us will be pleased to see the booster programme getting underway already, to help offer longer lasting protection against severe COVID-19 illness.
“The booster programme will run alongside the SNP Government’s biggest ever free flu vaccine programme and wherever possible, those eligible will be offered COVID-19 booster and flu vaccines together.
“There will be an order of invitations for boosters, but I encourage everyone in North Ayrshire to take theirs up when it comes.
“If you aren’t fully vaccinated against COVID yet, please visit the NHS Ayrshire & Arran Vaccination website to see where and when you can attend the next drop-in clinic, a minimum of 8 weeks after you’ve received your first jab.”
Over 70s and high risk over 16s will be invited from the end of September.
People on the highest risk list who were severely immunosuppressed at the time of their last COVID-19 vaccination will be offered a third primary dose instead.
Other eligible groups - including all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions, adult carers, unpaid and young carers, adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals and all adults over 50 - will be able to book an appointment online from October.
ENDS
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