On Monday, everyone in Scotland over the age of 50 with no underlying health conditions will be contacted to schedule a winter vaccination.
Those between the ages of 50 and 64 are urged to have the flu and Covid-19 vaccine.
The Scottish government stated that it believed the implementation would alleviate demand on the NHS during the winter months.
Dr. Gregor Smith, Scotland’s top medical officer, recommended people acquire the vaccine in anticipation of an expected increase in cases.
The expanded deployment follows a week of official data indicating a dramatic increase in Covid-19 cases in Scotland.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that approximately 144,000 persons in Scotland (one in every 35) had the virus during the week of October 10th.
The figure increased from one in fifty in the week preceding September 29 – the most current prior statistic.
The government announced on Monday that immunization appointments for anyone over 50 can be scheduled via the NHS Inform website.
They can also be rescheduled online, and individuals without internet access have access to a nationwide helpline.
“Protection can diminish”
Since the winter vaccination booster campaign was begun at the end of August, more than 870,000 people have volunteered for a Covid-19 and flu vaccine, including healthcare workers, care home residents, those over 65, and those at high risk.
Minister of Public Health Maree Todd stated that vaccination uptake has been “encouraging” and that vaccinated individuals are “less likely to become very ill with Covid-19 or flu.
“The influenza virus is always evolving, and Covid-19 protection can wane with time, so I urge everyone eligible to take advantage of their winter vaccines so that we can all remain safe this winter,” she said.
Dr. Gregor Smith, the chief medical officer of Scotland, said he anticipated an increase in Covid cases as autumn and winter progress.
He added: “Please do not delay receiving your influenza and Covid-19 vaccinations.
“Newer vaccines for both will update your degree of protection and lessen the probability of serious disease, even if it is caused by a newer strain.”
More than two million Scots are receiving both vaccines as part of the winter vaccination program.
Both new bivalent vaccines, which target Omicron and the original version of Covid-19, are being introduced alongside current vaccines, with individuals receiving vaccinations based on their age and vaccine availability.
Linda Bauld, a professor of public health at the University of Edinburgh and adviser to the Scottish government, told that it was “crucial and essential” that we move on once more.
She stated, “I am aware that people are probably tired of getting vaccinated, but flu incidence is on the rise.
“The likelihood of contracting both (Covid and flu) simultaneously is not zero, and the resulting disease consequences are significantly worse.”
