Vaccination programme update

Invitations to a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine appointment for people aged 70-79 will start to land on doormats in several health board areas from Monday 25 January.

A new booking system is being used by health boards in Fife, Forth Valley, Ayrshire & Arran, Lanarkshire, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lothian to schedule appointments for patients in order of priority. More boards are expected to make use of the technology as the vaccination programme expands.

The first tranche will use NHS branded white envelopes but distinctive coloured blue envelopes are planned to be used as soon as possible as the programme progresses though the different groups on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) priority list. The letters will include information on how to reschedule an appointment if it is not suitable.

We are on track for all those aged over 80 to have received their first dose of the vaccine by the end of the first week in February. No-one aged 80 or over should expect a vaccine invitation because they will be contacted directly by phone or letter.  

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said:

“We all know how easy it is to ignore some of the mail which comes through our letterboxes but these blue envelopes, when they start being used, will be very distinctive.

“All letters are being posted First Class and we have been advised by the Royal Mail that the distinctive envelopes will allow them to prioritise delivery.

“The letters will contain information about the time and place of your appointment and details on how to reschedule it if you are unable to attend.

“I would urge everyone to take up their appointment when they are offered one.

“The vaccination programme is one of three key ways we are working to beat this virus, along with our expanded testing programme to identify cases and break chains of transmission and the important lockdown restrictions everyone in Scotland must follow. All these measures work to greatest effect when they work together.”