First doses booked in for all adults ahead of schedule

All adults in Scotland will have been booked in for their first coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine appointment by the end of next week (27 June), five weeks ahead of the target of 31 July.

Letters are currently going out to those 18-29 year olds who didn’t sign up to the self-registration portal and anyone who hasn’t yet received their blue envelope can see the time of their vaccination online through a new appointment checker.   

The new system allows people to see their appointment details in the system, and enables them to reschedule if the timing or location is unsuitable.

In addition, from Monday 21 June all NHS boards will be routinely scheduling second doses eight weeks after the first to help combat the emergence of the Delta variant.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said:

“I am delighted that we are on the brink of reaching the major milestone of having scheduled first doses for all adults, five weeks ahead of schedule.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the vaccination programme and all those wo have taken up their offer of a vaccine for their part in this remarkable achievement which has been accomplished in just over six months since the roll-out began.

“Anyone who hasn’t received a letter by next week can visit the appointment checker at NHS Inform. The system lets you rebook if the timing or location is not suitable which will be a useful tool for students and anyone who has recently moved house.

“Additional capacity has been secured by NHS Boards to bring forward of all second doses from 12 to 8 weeks which is important given the emergence of the Delta strain as we know greater protection is provided after the second dose.

“Again, I want to stress how important it is that everyone takes up their offer of a vaccine when they get it. The emergence of the Delta variant shows we cannot be complacent, and the vaccination programme – along with restrictions and testing – offers protection to you, your loved ones and your community.”

BACKGROUND

Appointment checker