Last chance for those eligible to get spring Covid booster

It comes as the number of deaths from Covid rises across Scotland amid reports that hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in Scotland have not received the latest booster as part of the spring vaccination campaign.

Figures from Public Health Scotland show 49 deaths in the week beginning July 1, with almost three-quarters of them in the over-75 age group. In Forth Valley there were two deaths linked to Covid with one the previous week.

Meanwhile, the organisation reveals that up to July 7, latest statistics reveal that one-third (33.8 per cent) of those eligible in the NHS Forth Valley board area have not had the spring booster.

This is sixth out of Scotland’s 14 health boards – topping the table is NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde where 41 per cent have not had the vaccine this time around.

Despite this, health officials in Forth Valley maintained they had a higher than average uptake compared to other areas.

But people in this area who are eligible can get the booster tomorrow at one of three venues.

Drop in clinics will be open from 8.30am to 7.30pm at Falkirk Community Hospital; Stirling Health & Care Village; and Clackmannan Community Health Centre.

A spokesperson for NHS Forth Valley said: “Uptake of the spring Covid-19 booster in Forth Valley is higher than the Scottish average with good uptake figures amongst many of the eligible groups including local care home residents and those aged 75 and over.

"Over the last few weeks, we have run drop in and mobile vaccination clinics for those who missed or were unable to attend for their spring vaccination earlier. We are also arranging vaccinations for any housebound residents and care home residents who were unable to vaccinated previously.

“Anyone at very high risk from Covid-19 can access vaccinations year-round via local referral procedures.”