Tag: Covid-19 vaccination programme

NHS Lothian launches spring COVID-19 booster programme

Over 75s, immunosuppressed individuals and those living in care homes are now able to receive an additional COVID-19 booster vaccination as part of its efforts to protect those at highest risk from COVID-19.

These people will be invited as they become eligible from at least 24 weeks after their last booster, with the first groups receiving appointments from this week.

Jane McNulty, Director of Nursing for Primary and Community Care, NHS Lothian, said: “We are delighted to offer this further vaccination to the most vulnerable to people in our society.

“The degree of protection the vaccine offers wanes 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.

“The spring booster will improve your level of protection significantly and is the best way to protect your health and those around you.”

NHS Lothian will also start offering vaccinations to all children aged 5-11 in Lothian on Saturday 19 March, following its initial offering of the childhood vaccine to children most at risk from COVID-19 and children living with an immunosuppressed person.

Letters will be sent out to parents and carers in the coming weeks inviting them to bring their child to a child vaccination clinic in the Lothian area.

Paediatric vaccinators will be available at the clinics to answer any questions people may have about the COVID-19 childhood vaccine.

Parents and carers to do not need to contact NHS Lothian proactively to arrange an appointment.

Ms McNulty added: “The primary aim of our vaccination programme continues to be the prevention of severe disease, hospitalisation and mortality, arising from COVID-19.

“I encourage anyone who is still to have any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.”

Established vaccination clinics for over 12s will continue to operate separately from these clinics, with NHS Lothian still encouraging all over 12s to get any outstanding vaccinations.

Over 18s can receive their first, second and booster vaccinations at all drop-in clinics. Those aged 12-17 can also attend for their second dose if it has been at least 12 weeks since their first dose and they have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 12 weeks.

More information on the 5-11 vaccination programme is available on NHS Inform:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/the-vaccines/vaccinating-children-aged-5-to-11-years/

Information on clinic locations and opening times for over 12s is also available on NHS Lothian’s website:

https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Drop-in-Clinics.asp

One and half million third doses and boosters delivered in Scotland

Scotland’s Autumn/Winter vaccination programme has delivered more than one and a half million third doses and boosters (1,502,266) of the COVID-19 jab.

The roll-out continues to see high coverage across all eligible groups for first, second and third/booster doses with an average of 30,000 daily since early November and a record daily total of 37,153 doses on 17 November.

Almost a quarter (24%) of those aged 50-59 years have now had their booster and people in this group are urged to book their own appointment at the online portal at NHS Inform or through the National Helpline.

Unpaid carers who are 16 and over, and those aged 16 and over who are household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals can also book online as can anyone in an earlier group who missed their appointment for whatever reason.

New appointments are added regularly on the portal.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: ““I am pleased by the progress so far of the Autumn/Winter vaccination programme – one and a half million third doses and boosters is a significant milestone – and I want to thank again everyone involved in the delivery. In terms of first, second and third and booster doses, I’m pleased to say Scotland is still the most vaccinated part of the UK.

“We continue to follow JCVI advice to ensure the most vulnerable are offered flu and booster vaccines first. People aged 50 to 59, unpaid carers who are 16 and over, and those aged 16 and over who are household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals can book their Autumn/Winter vaccination appointments via the online portal or through the helpline.

“The booster jab offers longer lasting protection against the virus and we strongly encourage all those eligible to book an appointment as soon as possible. Remember you can get a booster from 24 weeks after you had your second dose.

WWhere anyone experiences difficulty gaining access to their vaccination centre they should seek to reschedule their appointment where possible and, if they require additional assistance, contact their Health Board to discuss options.

“While vaccination is the bedrock of our fight against COVID-19, we encourage everyone to follow mitigations such as regular testing, particularly before socialising and meeting up with others from outside your household, wearing face marks where required and opening windows to improve ventilation.”

To use the online portal, individuals will need their unique vaccination username which can be found on any previous appointment letter.

If this is not readily available, it can be located or reset at NHS Inform’s “recover username” page.

Those without online access, can book an appointment through the National Helpline 0800 030 8013.

Scotland’s biggest ever flu vaccine programme launches tomorrow

Primary and secondary school pupils will start receiving their flu vaccine tomorrow (Monday) as Scotland’s biggest flu immunisation programme gets underway.

Over four million people will be offered the free flu vaccine this year with secondary school pupils eligible for the first time.  

Running until December all primary and secondary school pupils will be offered the vaccine which is given as a painless nasal spray.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “More people than ever are being offered the flu vaccine and we hope to see a large uptake amongst pupils as we aim to keep flu out of schools this year. 

“If you’ve not missed the deadline for returning consent forms to your school, I’d urge you to complete and return these now.  Last year with the public health measures that were in place, there was lower levels of flu than there has been in previous years so our immunity levels to flu may be lower this year.

“The vaccines are safe and the best way to help protect you, and others, from flu this winter.”

The flu virus changes every year, so you need to get the vaccine every year to stay protected. The flu vaccine cannot give you flu, but it can stop you catching it. The COVID-19 vaccine does not offer any protection from flu, you need to get the separate flu vaccine.

In a small number of cases, the nasal spray may not be suitable, and the vaccine can be given as an injection in the arm instead.

For more information about the flu vaccine, visit www.nhsinfrom.scot/childflu, call 0800 030 8013, or speak to a health or immunisation team, practice nurse, or GP.

While the flu vaccination programme will get underway tomorrow, the decision on Covid vaccinations for 12 – 15 year olds is still to be taken.

Health Ministers of the devolved nations wrote to their respective Chief Medical Officers on Friday to seek further advice.

The joint letter reads:

Dear UK Chief Medical Officers,

We are writing on behalf of the 4 nations of the UK following the recent JCVI discussions on 1 and 2 September regarding the COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people aged 12 to 15.

JCVI has updated its advice on this topic. This advice says that the committee is of the opinion that the health benefits from vaccination are marginally greater than the potential harms. However, that margin of benefit, based primarily on a health perspective, is considered too small to support advice on a universal programme of vaccination of otherwise healthy 12 to 15-year-old children at this time.

The JCVI’s advice goes on to suggest that the government may wish to take further advice, including on educational impacts, from the chief medical officers of the 4 nations, with representation from JCVI in these subsequent discussions.

We agree with the approach suggested by JCVI, and so we are writing to request that you take forward work (drawing on experts as you see fit) to consider the matter from a broader perspective, as suggested by the JCVI.

We will consider the advice from the CMOs of the 4 nations, building on the JCVI’s advice, in making our decision. Given the importance of this issue, we would be grateful if you could provide your advice as soon as possible.

Sajid Javid MP
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, HM Government

Eluned Morgan AS/MS
Y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol
Minister for Health and Social Services, Welsh Government

Humza Yousaf MSP
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Scottish Government

Robin Swann MLA
Minister of Health, Northern Ireland Executive

6,152 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Scotland yesterday.