People aged 65 and over will be first in line for a winter booster jab to protect the most vulnerable from COVID-19 and ease the pressure on hospitals.

Letters with appointment times have been landing on doormats so NHS Forth Valley can get ahead of any potential surge in infections.

The booster jabs will be given at the same time as the flu vaccine to those eligible where possible – evidence shows that administration of both vaccines together is a safe and efficient way to deliver maximum protection over the winter months.

Frontline health and social care workers are also eligible for the winter booster jab, with the online portal to book vaccination appointments available from 22 August.

Appointments for all other priority groups will be made available as the programme progresses – people in those groups should wait until they are contacted or called forward.

The programme follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation (JCVI) which recommended vaccinating people as soon as possible to have the best chance of mitigating the impact of COVID-19 over the winter.

Fiona Coan, NHS Forth Valley’s Immunisation Team Manager said: “All adults aged 65 years or over will be contacted with a scheduled appointment for their COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination.

“COVID-19 vaccine immunity reduces and the flu virus changes over time, so it’s important those eligible top up their protection by getting vaccinated this winter.

“I’d encourage those who receive an appointment letter through the post to attend. If you’re unable to attend, please cancel or reschedule so we can offer the appointment to someone else.”

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said:“As was the case in previous rounds of the vaccination programme, spring/summer boosters have enjoyed very high uptake among eligible groups with 86% of older adult care home residents and 93% of those aged 75 and over gaining an important additional layer of protection at a time when Covid cases rose sharply.

“I’d like to thank all those who have worked so hard to ensure that Scotland still has the highest overall uptake of first, second and third doses in the UK.

“Following the JCVI’s recommendations, we will roll out the Winter Booster Programme getting jabs in arms from early September to ensure those most at risk are protected over winter.

“Vaccination remains the best way to protect your health and those around you – I strongly encourage everyone to book in as soon as you get the call up.”

Background

Following final advice on the Autumn COVID-19 Booster Programme from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the following groups will be offered an additional COVID-19 booster in autumn:

• residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• frontline health and social care workers
• all adults aged 50 years and over
• those aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, including those who are pregnant
• those aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• carers aged 16-49 years

Eligible cohorts should wait until they are contacted or called forward. Where possible, the Autumn/Winter COVID-19 booster will be given at the same time as the flu vaccine to those who are eligible. The evidence shows that administration of both vaccines together is a safe and efficient way to deliver maximum protection over winter months.

All adults aged 65 years or over will be contacted the week beginning Monday 15 August with a scheduled appointment for their COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination.

The booking portal will be available to Health and Social Care workers to book appointments for their COVID-19 and flu vaccines from Monday 22 August. As per JCVI advice, frontline Health and Social Care workers are eligible for both COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Staff should book an appointment on the portal Winter vaccines | NHS inform