All young people 16 to 17 years of age in NHS Forth Valley will be able to get the Covid-19 vaccine at all drop-in clinics offering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from Tuesday 10th August 2021.

From Friday 6th August 2021, all 16- to 17- year olds could self-register to get an appointment sent by text or email, following latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), that 16- to 17-year olds should now receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Anyone who doesn’t register at https://www.nhsinform.scot/vaccineregistration or attend a drop-in clinic will be sent an appointment invitation through the post. Details of local drop-in vaccination clinics can be found on the NHS Forth Valley website.

Jillian Taylor, NHS Forth Valley’s Operational Lead for the Covid-19 vaccine said: “The Covid-19 vaccine is our best way out of this pandemic and we ask 16 to 17 year olds now eligible to please come forward. We aim to have first doses delivered to this age group by the end of September 2021.”

The Scottish Government’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Gregor Smith, said: “In line with the latest JCVI advice we are now be offering a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination to young people aged between 16 and 17.

“The programme has always carefully assessed all the benefits and potential risks and offered vaccine to groups where this benefit is clear. The research and evidence shows that is the case for this age group and they should now be called forward for an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccine.”

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We know that drop-in clinics make it easier for young people to fit getting vaccinated into their busy lives.

“I would urge all eligible young people to take up the offer of vaccination. You can find out where your nearest drop-in clinics are by visiting NHS Inform which will direct you to the latest information from your local health board – or through your local board’s social media channels.

“Our route out of this pandemic is getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, that is why I am urging young people to take up the offer of the vaccine by dropping into a clinic or by booking an appointment.”

Background

In addition to 16 to 17-year-olds, we have started offering Covid-19 vaccinations to children and young people who are from key groups; and are between 12 to 17 years. Vaccinations will be offered to:

• 12 to 15-year-olds with severe neuro-disabilities
• 12 to 15-year-olds with Down’s syndrome
• 12 to 15-year-olds with underlying conditions resulting in immunosuppression
• 12 to 15-year-olds with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD)
• 12 to 15-year-olds with severe learning disabilities
• 12 to 17-year-olds who have a diagnosed learning/intellectual disability (mild or moderate)
• 16-year-olds who have any of these above conditions or underlying conditions that place them at higher risk of serious illness (that were not 16 at the time of the previous invite for all 16 and 17-year-olds in March 2021)
• young people aged 12 years and above who live in the same household of persons (adults or children) who are immunosuppressed (we previously invited over 16s who are household contacts of those on the shielding list)

Read the JCVI statement on COVID-19 vaccination of children and young people.