NHS Forth Valley is now inviting those aged 75 and over and those at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease forward for their second booster vaccination.

People in the following groups will receive a letter with appointment details:

• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in care homes for older adults
• individuals aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed

These people will be invited as they become eligible from at least 24 weeks after their last booster, with the first groups receiving appointments from mid March.

This follows recent advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

Fiona Coan, NHS Forth Valley’s Immunisation Team Manager, said: “We know that these high priority groups are at greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19, and following further advice from the JCVI, we are now offering a second booster dose of the vaccine to these people.

“Vaccination has been our most effective tool against coronavirus, and getting fully vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, especially if you are at greater risk from the virus. I continue to encourage everyone to receive the doses they are eligible for as and when they are called forward.”

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Nicola Steedman said: “Our vaccination programme has been highly successful, with 85% of the eligible population having had a booster or third dose vaccination and the World Health Organisation estimating some 28,000 lives saved to date in Scotland.

“However, the degree of protection offered by the vaccines 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. The additional booster dose will improve your level of protection significantly and is the best way to protect your health and those around you.

“The primary aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to be the prevention of severe disease, hospitalisation and mortality, arising from COVID-19. I encourage anyone who is still to have any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.”