Covid booster jags for Scots aged 40 - 49 confirmed
You'll get one 6 months after your second dose
Scots in their 40s will able to get a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
The change would also allow for a second dose to be given to those who are aged 16 or 17 years old.
Booster jabs were offered to the over-50s and the most clinically vulnerable - or those who live with people who are - but the move will expand the programme further.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: "We're looking quickly to examine and explore how quickly we're able to operationalise that.
"The vaccine will be offered from 12 weeks after their first vaccination. In cases where an individual in this group has had a positive PCR test for Covid-19, the JCVI recommends the second dose should be given at least 12 weeks following infection."
"I'm meeting with the vaccine team later on this afternoon and we'll be talking about how we operationalise that advice and also the advice on 16 to 17-year-olds the JCVI have provided."
He added: "We'll try to operationalise it as quickly as possible.
"Remember there's a huge, significant number of those 40 to 49-year-olds who won't be eligible for the booster yet, because they have to wait six months until their second dose.
"I think the vast majority of them become eligible early into next year."
Bookings open for over 50s
On Monday, over-50s were invited to book their third dose through an online portal - a month later than previously announced.
It is not yet clear how long the booster programme will take, with the initial group due to be completed in early January.
Tory MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane urged the Scottish Government to reopen mass vaccination centres to provide boosters.
"Covid booster jags are our best weapon to stop the spread of the virus," he said.
"As the booster programme expands to include younger people, it's vital that the Government does everything in its power to make sure as many jags as possible are delivered before Christmas.
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