Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Confidence behind vaccine rollout plan
Coatbridge & Chryston’s MSP has welcomed the extension of the Covid immunisation programme to young people aged between 12 and 15.
Fulton Macgregor says the decision to offer a single dose of the Pfizer/biontech vaccine to that age group is a “promising” step to help reduce disruption to education.
He also welcomed news of the booster programme for many adults which is due to start from this week.
The decision was announced at the Scottish Parliament, after Scottish Ministers accepted advice on the issue from the UK’S four chief medical officers, to offer one dose to youngsters in the age group not already covered by existing immunisation advice for underlying conditions.
Mr Macgregor said: “Since schools returned there has been disruption due to Track and Trace. We are obviously very keen that we do all we can to reduce this so it’s promising that the recommendation has been accepted to allow vaccination in older children.
“I would echo the health secretary’s comments that informed consent must be at the heart of decision-making, and I understand that there will be clear communication with this age group and their parents so they understand the potential benefits, side effects and the balance between them.”
He added: “I’m pleased that a new leaflet from Public Health Scotland will be circulated to ensure parents, carers and young people have all the information they need and I would urge constituents to look out for this.
“Alongside the booster programme, this will be a busy period for our largest-ever vaccination programme – but work has been underway for some time to plan for this and I am confident our rollout will continue to be a huge success.”
NHS Lanarkshire is currently finalising its plans for rolling out both the 12-to-15 programme and for delivering boosters for those who were originally vaccinated during the first phase of Covid-19 immunisations.
The Scottish Government said this week: “The joint committee on vaccinations and immunisation has advised that the booster dose can be given alongside the flu jab and should be offered no earlier than six months after completion of the primary vaccine course.
“Frontline health and social care workers will be able to book their appointment online and residents in care homes will be offered both flu and Covid-19 booster vaccination.
“Adults aged 70 years and over, and adults aged 16 and over who are on the highest risk list, previously known as shielding, will be contacted soon either by letter or by their GP.”
NHS Lanarkshire announced earlier this month that it plans to deliver both Covid and flu vaccines together for those who are eligible, at its network of community venues.
They are located at the North Lanarkshire sites of Airdrie town hall, Link community centre in Cumbernauld and Ravenscraig sports centre in Motherwell. And in South Lanarkshire at the council headquarters in Hamilton, Ballerup Hall in East Kilbride, Fernhill community centre in Rutherglen and Braidfute retail park in Lanark with satellite clinics at Stonehouse, Biggar and Abington.