Booster planning under way

NEW advice about Covid boosters means some of us will be in line for another jag this autumn and winter.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and I mmunisation (JCVI) released interim advice last week. And the Scottish Government is now putting plans in place.

But what is the new advice, who will be first in line for boosters and who is currently getting fourth jags? Here’s what you need to know.

It may seem like a way off at the moment, but information has already been released about this year’s autumn and winter Covid boosters.

The JCVI says that in order to maximise protection in those most vulnerable to serious illness, Covid booster vaccines should be offered from the autumn.

The Scottish Government has welcomed the news and said that it will work closely with NHS boards to plan the autumn Covid booster campaign.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said “certain priority groups” will be offered the vaccine from the autumn.

“We will work closely with NHS boards to plan for this booster campaign in line with this interim advice,” he said.

“Vaccination has been our most effective tool against coronavirus. However, the degree of protection offered 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.”

Further details are still to be released on who the priority groups will be and who will be eligible.

But previous vaccination and booster rollouts have seen the elderly and those most at risk offered the jags first.

The Scottish Government added that it is ready to act on any further advice on offering boosters to additional groups in future.

Fourth doses of the vaccine are currently being given to the over75s and those most at risk.

People in this category have been eligible for a second booster vaccine since March 7.

This category also i ncludes residents in care homes for older adults and individuals aged 12 years and over who have a weakened immune system.

These additional booster doses improve your level of protection against Covid significantly and are the best way to protect your health and those around you.

If you’re in this category, you can receive a booster dose 24 weeks after your last Covid vaccine.

You should have been contacted by NHS Scotland if you’re eligible for a second dose.

Everyone aged 16 and over is eligible for two primary doses of the vaccine, followed by one booster dose.

If you’ve not yet taken up the offer of a booster dose, you can log in to book your booster dose using the same user name and password details you set up for your first two doses of vaccine.

The health secretary added: “We continue to encourage everyone to receive the doses they are eligible for as and when they become available.”

Humza Yousaf said priority groups will get boosters first.

New Covid vaccination advice has been issued to the government.