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Booster vaccines extended to over-30s in Scotland Covid in Scotland: Aim to offer boosters to all adults by end of year
(about 11 hours later)
The Scottish government says all eligible over-18s will be offered a booster by the end of January.The Scottish government says all eligible over-18s will be offered a booster by the end of January.
People aged between 30 and 39 will be able to book a Covid booster vaccine from Monday, the Scottish government has announced. Scotland is aiming to offer Covid booster vaccine appointments to all over-18s by the end of the year, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said appointments would also be opened to 18 to 29-year-olds later in the week. She confirmed "urgent work" was under way to step up the pace of the vaccine roll out but warned more restrictions might still be needed.
Mr Yousaf said: "We know just how important a tool vaccination, and in particular the booster is, in our fight against the virus." It followed a televised address by the prime minister warning of a "tidal wave" of the new Omicron variant.
It comes as the scheme has been extended in England to people over 30. People aged 30-39 will be able to book a booster from 10:00 on Monday.
Booster vaccinations are now being given three months on from a second dose - rather than after six months. Appointments will be open to 18 to 29-year-olds later in the week.
Early analysis of UK Omicron and Delta cases shows two doses of Covid vaccine are not enough to stop people catching the new variant.
But a booster prevents about 75% of people getting any Covid symptoms.
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Boris Johnson declared an "Omicron emergency" in a TV statement on Sunday evening and outlined plans to ramp up the booster programme in England.
He said the UK government would give extra support to speed up vaccinations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It came as the UK's Covid alert level was raised to four - a high or rising level of transmission - due to the spread of the new variant.
Following Mr Johnson's address, Ms Sturgeon confirmed the original plan to offer boosters to all adults by the end of January had been brought forward.
She said: "I can confirm that urgent work is under way to further accelerate roll out of the booster vaccination programme in Scotland.
"Scotland already has the highest proportion of the over-12 population protected with booster or third doses of all the UK nations.
"Now, however, urgent efforts are being made to step up the pace even further with the aim of offering a booster jag appointment to all eligible adults by the end of this year if possible."
'Maximum protection'
She said ministers would consider the latest data on Covid on Tuesday before setting out any decisions on restrictions to parliament later that day.
The first minister said she would also confirm details of the accelerated booster roll-out.
"Getting booster jags into people's arms as quickly as possible is essential given what we now know about Omicron and the importance of boosters in ensuring maximum protection against the new variant," Ms Sturgeon added.
"Given the expected volume of cases in the weeks ahead, however, it is also possible that further, proportionate protective measures or advice will be necessary. This is true even if Omicron proves to be slightly less severe than Delta.
"The number of cases will still put significant pressure on the NHS and the economy."
She urged people to get vaccinated, take a Covid test before mixing with other households, work from home if possible, wear face coverings and follow all hygiene advice.
The aim to speed up the booster programme and offer every adult their extra jag by the end of the year is shared by the Scottish and UK governments.
It is a huge undertaking over the festive period and given there are just two and a half weeks of 2021 remaining, Nicola Sturgeon is reluctant to overpromise.
Her commitment has an important caveat attached: "if possible".
She does not yet know that even with extra finance and military support from the UK government it can definitely be done.
The Scottish government will go for it but the expectation right now is that some of the booster jagging will spill over into the early days of the new year.
Before then, Holyrood ministers think further Covid restrictions may be necessary and will discuss options to limit the spread of omicron at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Every adult in Scotland is to be offered a booster, following the latest guidance from the JCVI - the UK government's vaccine advisors.
Booster vaccinations are now being given three months on from a second dose - rather than after six months.
Accelerating the vaccination programme has become the UK's main line of defence against the Omicron variant.Accelerating the vaccination programme has become the UK's main line of defence against the Omicron variant.
Every adult in Scotland will now be offered a booster, following the latest guidance from the JCVI - the UK government's vaccine advisors.
In total 2,116,228 people in Scotland have now had their booster. The scheme was extended to people aged over 40 last month.In total 2,116,228 people in Scotland have now had their booster. The scheme was extended to people aged over 40 last month.
The Scottish government says all eligible over-18s will be offered one by the end of January.
On Sunday, 4,002 new Covid cases were confirmed in Scotland. The total number of Omicron cases across nine of the country's 14 health boards reached 159.On Sunday, 4,002 new Covid cases were confirmed in Scotland. The total number of Omicron cases across nine of the country's 14 health boards reached 159.
The UK's coronavirus alert level has been raised from level three to four due to the spread of the variant. The last time it was at level four was in May.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney told BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show that Omicron was "galloping through Scotland".
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He said speeding up the vaccination programme was one of the best options for suppressing its spread.
He said the Scottish Parliament would be updated on Tuesday afternoon on any further measures to be announced.
"We will take steps we believe are proportionate to suppress the latest strain," he said.
"If we act quickly and early we have got the best chance of suppressing the virus and giving ourselves as much opportunity as possible to avoid restrictions.
"Omicron is coming towards us at a much more aggressive rate and pace than any other variant of the virus."
From tomorrow (Mon 13th) you can book your Booster if you're aged 30-39.We intend on opening portal to 18-29yr olds later in the week, details to follow.We know just how important a tool vaccination, and in particular the Booster is in our fight against the virus #GetBoosted
The Scottish government has encouraged older age groups who have not yet had a booster to book an appointment.
The health secretary also appealed to social care staff to get the jab, due to low booster uptake in the sector.
Only 47.7% of frontline social care workers and 54.8% of care home staff have received a booster vaccine. This compares to an uptake of 72% among frontline healthcare workers.
Mr Yousaf said: "It is crucial, especially for those working with some of our most vulnerable citizens, that you get your booster if you have not already done so."
The Scottish government said financial support will be given to employers so adult care staff can receive booster jabs without having to sacrifice paid hours or annual leave days.
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