Boosting support for the vaccination programme

The number of military staff assisting with the autumn/winter vaccination programme has been increased to support the acceleration of the booster roll-out.

With the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, all those aged 18 and over will be offered a booster jab by the end of the year with everyone aged 18-59 currently invited to book an appointment via the online portal or attend a drop-in clinic.

An additional 100 military vaccinators are joining the existing 100 staff who are working to help with the roll-out. There are also 15 nurses and six support staff currently assisting with the programme and this support will remain in place until 28 February. The new personnel will undergo final training before delivering vaccinations from next week. Discussions are taking place to ensure they are deployed where they are needed most and this will kept under continual review with staff reassigned when appropriate.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said:

“We are so grateful to everyone who has been involved in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Scotland, including the military, which has ensured more than 10.5 million doses - first, second, third and boosters - have already been delivered.

“We are now in the midst of an extremely busy period for the national autumn/winter vaccination programme with COVID-19 booster injections being offered to all those aged 18 and over.

“The emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is adding to the winter pressures usually faced by the NHS which is why we have again requested military support to complement our existing resources and ensure we can get vaccinations into arms as quickly as possible.

“Demand for boosters may mean you may have to wait in a queue at drop-in centres but we urge everyone to be patient.

“At this time it is also particularly important that we continue to take all precautions to prevent transmission. So test regularly for the virus, limit socialising in the run up to Christmas, wear face marks where required and open windows to improve ventilation.”