Are Covid jab rules different in Scotland?

[Marcy47]

We moved to Scotland in April. Can we book a Covid booster as we did in England or is it different here?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Maybe start with this -

nhsinform.scot/winter-vaccines

[Calamity121]

if your registered with a gp, you should receive an appointment by letter, depending which health board your under, their still doing them in mass vaccination centres ,if you don’t hear anything within the next few weeks I would give your go surgery a call

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No idea - look on the Scottish charity site, that may have the guidelines

pmrgcascotland.com/

[Odosmum]

I think that it's really important to make sure that you are on 'the list'. COVID vaccines are being limited all over the UK this winter, so if you don't meet the age criteria, you need to be identified as immunosuppressed. Two ways to do this - if you see a rheumatologist, it should be done automatically. You should be able to check with the rheumatology helpline, if there is one, or departmental secretary. Otherwise, you will need to speak to your GP.If you are over 50, you should be on the list for flu vaccine. You will be offered an appointment by letter. If you are eligible for a COVID jab, the letter will invite you to have that at the same time.

Hope this is helpful.

[Marcy47 in reply to Odosmum]

Thanks Odosmum,I will check with my GP.

[Lochy]

I live in Edinburgh and have been dealing with PMR for 7 years. I was on the shielding list through covid and got government letter upon letter telling me what to do. I have received 6 covid vaccines and several flu and this year it all seems to have changed. There is a NHS Scotland covid number you will find on their website who might be able to explain but it is different according to where you live. In Edinburgh I was told I had no priority anymore and and they had no appointments for covid or flu to offer. I’ve subsequently heard of some being sent letters in past few weeks so something must be happening. The system is different in Scotland. I intend to call again when I return from holiday next week and see if anything has changed! 🤞🤞Good luck

[Marcy47 in reply to Lochy]

Hi Lochy, thanks for your reply. I am 76 and have had PMR for 8yrs now. In England I was treated as vulnerable and received 5 jabs at my local GP practice, and received flu jabs there too.Since moving to Scotland, to be nearer my children, I was told it would take 13 weeks for my records to come up from England as it cannot be done on-line, it has to go from NHS England to NHS Scotland and then to the Dr.

I have only had a redirected letter from NHS England asking me to book a booster, but when I tried, computer said "No, can only do England"

I haven't had any invites from anyone else to get flu or Covid jabs, so will phone my GP tomorrow and ask them.

[Lochy in reply to Marcy47]

Unfortunately in Scotland none of the covid jabs were administered by the GPs. Everything was centralised (I’m only talking for Edinburgh) in large facilities or regional medical facilities. Sadly the GPs couldn’t answer any questions about covid jabs etc. Hopefully yours can at least point you in the right direction! Good luck.

[Wouldlovetorun]

Hi Marcy47!My local gp practice had covid jab sessions and the GPs gave them.

Hope you're settling in to your new home 💐