More invites sent out for Scotland's flu and Covid-19 booster programmes

SCOTLAND'S flu and Covid-19 booster programmes are continuing with pace as the next batch of invites were sent out this week.

People aged between 60 and 69 and those with underlying health conditions started to receive invitations for their flu and Covid-19 booster vaccinations on Monday, October 25.

Appointments for this group will take place at a local community clinic and will run from late October and throughout November.

Currently, as per JCVI advice, the NHS is vaccinating people in the highest risk groups for both flu and Covid-19 – including those who are aged 70 and over, people in older adult care homes, those who are on the highest risk list and frontline health and social care workers.

In addition, flu vaccinations are being administered to children up to two years old who have underlying health conditions, pre-school children aged two to five, all school pupils, pregnant women and all NHS healthcare workers.

Wherever possible, those eligible for a Covid-19 booster jab will receive both the flu vaccine and the booster on the same day. This is safe and effective to do.

For those in the underlying health conditions group, the type of health condition will guide whether they will be given a flu jab, the Covid-19 booster, or both.

Details on who is eligible for these vaccinations and when they can expect an invitation are available on NHS Inform.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “For those eligible for the Covid-19 boosters, appointments can only take place six months (24 weeks) after your second dose. As such, it may take several weeks before you receive your invitation letter.

“In addition to delivering the Covid-19 vaccine boosters, we are offering a record number of free flu vaccines. It is the biggest ever flu vaccination programme in Scotland, reaching more than four million people.

“Appointments for both vaccines are being scheduled based on clinical need and age and it will take until the middle of January for everyone to be offered their vaccines.

"Boosters will be offered to many of the groups who routinely have the flu vaccine to protect people from both illnesses. To support this, we are ensuring those most vulnerable are vaccinated first.

“But I would like to stress, everyone who is eligible will be offered a vaccination. If you haven’t received your appointment letter yet, please be patient."