Covid spring booster to be available for at-risk groups

As of Monday, March 27, care home residents in Scotland are eligible for the latest Covid jab top-up. Following advice given by The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), people aged 75 and over will be eligible from April 11. As for individuals over the age of five, who have a weakened immune system, they will be able to have the Covid booster jab from April 24.

Scotland’s Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We know that people in high-priority groups are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

“So I welcome the start of the spring rollout, which will offer an additional dose to those who are most vulnerable, boosting their protection.”

Mr Yousaf added: “Prioritising those most at risk has been our approach from the outset and vaccination has been our most effective tool against COVID-19.

“However, the degree of protection offered does fade over time, which is why booster vaccination is needed.

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“I continue to encourage everyone to receive the doses they are eligible for as and when they become available.”

Eligible adults in England will also be able to have the latest Covid jab between April and June.

Those at the highest risk of severe disease from Covid will be the first to recieve their invitation from the NHS.

“If you are turning 75 years of age between April and June, you will be called for vaccination during the campaign,” the NHS adds.

People are advised to seek urgent medical advice if they experience any of the following post-vaccination:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart.

Those who feel unwell on the day they have been scheduled to be vaccinated should rearrange the appointment.

While the Covid boosters reduce the risk of becoming severely ill from the virus, they do not prevent a person from catching the illness.