Over-65s invited to get Covid booster

LETTERS inviting people for a Covid-19 winter booster jab will be landing on doorsteps this week.

Those aged 65 and over and frontline health and social care staff will be first in line to receive appointment times in the post.

The Scottish Government said the move is to protect the most vulnerable from the virus and to ease the pressure on hospitals ahead of any potential surges in infections over the winter period.

The booster jabs will be given at the same time as the flu vaccine to those eligible where possible. Officials said evidence shows that administration of both vaccines together is a safe and efficient way to deliver maximum protection.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: ‘Spring/summer boosters have enjoyed very high uptake among eligible groups with 86 per cent of older adult care home residents and 93 per cent of those aged 75 and over gaining an important additional layer of protection.

‘Following the JCVI’s recommendations, we will roll out the winter booster programme getting jabs in arms from early September to ensure those most at risk are protected over winter.’

Some people in Scotland have been eligible for a fourth dose of the vaccine prior to this, including those older than 75, care home residents and the immunosuppressed.

The news comes as the number of infections in Scotland has been reducing in recent weeks.

The Office for National Statistics infection survey found about one in 20 people in Scotland were infected in the week up to July 26, down from one in 19 the previous week.