Booster jag programme underway

The spring booster programme started last week for residents across Lanarkshire who are eligible for a second booster.

A second booster is being offered to eligible groups following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and since last Monday vaccination staff have been visiting care homes residents across the region to offer another layer of protection again Covid-19.

Over the next few weeks, as well as residents in care homes, over-75s, and individuals aged 12 and over who have a weakened immune system, will also be offered a second booster to help protect them against any increase on coronavirus infections.

The spring booster dose will be offered around 24 weeks after the first booster although there may be particular circumstances where some people are invited sooner than this. NHS Lanarkshire expects letters will begin to be issued over the next week or so and beyond, detailing arrangements for appointments.

To support the spring booster programme, the health board will be opening a number of satellite sites throughout April to allow over-75s access their second booster as close to home as possible. This includes sites in Stonehouse, Biggar and Crawford.

There will also be support from the Scottish Ambulance Service with a mobile bus travelling to more remote areas across Lanarkshire.

Details on venues and dates will be released when finalised.

Lynsey Sutherland, interim general manager for Lanarkshire’s vaccination programme, said:“Offering this second booster will offer longer lasting protection against severe Covid-19 illness to those who are more vulnerable.

“Despite what has been the most challenging and complex vaccination programmes the NHS has ever undertaken our staff have been excellent in meeting the challenges of delivering the vaccine to residents across Lanarkshire and this has enabled us to move quickly onto the spring booster programme very efficiently.

“I would personally like to thank every member of staff who has been involved in this the largest vaccination programme.

“This includes care home staff who have worked with us to deliver the vaccine to care home residents as quickly as possible, colleagues from both North and South Health and Social Care Partnerships for their continued support, and our local authority partners, who continue to provide vaccination sites that allow us to deliver the programme.

“Also thanks have to go to the residents of Lanarkshire for their continued support in making the roll-out of the vaccination programme, including the spring booster programme, a success.”