End of high risk covid list

The Highest Risk List – formerly known as the Shielding List - will be formally ended on May 31, as a result of the success of the vaccination programme and the introduction of new treatments for Covid-19.

The decision has been taken following a careful review of growing clinical evidence by a team of specialist clinicians.

It shows that, for the majority of those on the list, the risk of hospitalisation or death from the virus has been significantly reduced and is no greater than that of the general public.

For some time now, the clinical advice has been for those on the Highest Risk List to follow the same guidance as everyone else in Scotland unless specifically advised otherwise by their own GP or clinician.

The list is not being used to identify people who are eligible for vaccine prioritisation or new treatments, and the NHS will continue to be able to contact those people when needed.

The Distance Aware Scheme is in place to provide free badges and lanyards to people who wish to show others they would welcome additional space and support when out in public.

The Chief Medical Officer will shortly write to everyone on the list to advise them of the change, and sign-post them to ongoing support.

Dr John Harden, Deputy National Clinical Director, said:“At the beginning of the pandemic we introduced shielding to protect the most vulnerable from a virus we knew little about.

“Thankfully, we know a lot more about the virus now. Combined with our successful vaccination programme and the availability of new treatments, means the clinical evidence clearly shows that the vast majority of people who have been on the Highest Risk List no longer need to consider themselves at any significantly higher risk.”