Over-40s invited to book booster
Residents in Lanarkshire who are aged 40 to 49 years old can now book their COVID booster jag in advance.
Appointments for those in this age bracket opened at the weekend and they are being urged to use the NHS Inform portal or national phoneline to secure a slot.
The appointments will be available from December and the slots must be at least 24 weeks after receiving a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
NHS Lanarkshire also advise that 16 and 17-year-olds can use the portal from December to book a slot for their second dose as long as 12 weeks have passed since their first dose.
However, anyone with a confirmed case of the virus since the first dose should wait for 12 weeks after that.
The portal is already open for the 50 to 59 age group, unpaid carers who are 16 and over, and those aged 16 and over who are household contacts of immunosuppressed §individuals.
Anyone in earlier groups who missed an appointment can also book.
Those aged 50 to 59 who have not yet booked an appointment for their booster will be contacted shortly to invite them to book as soon as possible via the portal or national phone line.
Dr Jane Burns, NHS Lanarkshire medical director, said: “The expansion of the COVID-19 vaccine booster to those aged 40 to 49 marks another significant milestone in the autumn/ winter vaccination programme. Boosters are just as important as the initial vaccinations. Six months after the second dose, immunity levels wane with increasing risk of infection.
“The booster dose improves your level of protection significantly and is the best way to protect your health and those around you.
“We encourage all those eligible to arrange their appointment via the portal or phoneline for 24 weeks after their second dose.”
Scotland’s Health Secretary Humza Yousaf this week told how the NHS has delivered more than 1.5 million boosters and third doses across the country.
He added: “We aim to vaccinate people as quickly as possible in line with clinical guidance and over the course of the autumn / winter vaccination programme, we’ll see up to 7.5 million flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations administered.
“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 outside your household, wearing face masks where required and opening windows to improve ventilation.”
A unique vaccination username is needed to use the portal to book. It can be found on previous appointment letters. It can also be located or reset at NHS Inform’s‘ recover username’ page.
Appointments can also be made through the National Helpline: 0800 030 8013.