Everyone aged 18 or over in the Western Isles eligible for the COVID booster

NHS Western Isles extended the offer of the COVID booster to everyone aged 18 and over in the Western Isles at the weekend.  

That means that anyone in that age group can now attend a drop-in clinic for their COVID booster if they had their second COVID vaccination dose at least 12 weeks ago (and have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 28 days). 

All Drop-in clinics across the Isles are also open to anyone aged 12 or over to attend for a first or second dose of the COVID vaccine. Second doses can be given eight weeks after a first dose for anyone aged 18 or over (as long as you have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 28 days), or at 12 weeks after the first dose for those aged between 12 and 17 (as long as you have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 12 weeks). 

Drop-in clinics are being held across the Western Isles and are advertised on a daily basis on the NHS Western Isles social media pages as well as the Board’s Coronavirus website: www.coronavirus.wi.nhs.scot 

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive Gordon Jamieson, said: “As we approach the festive period, it’s more important than ever to ensure we have the best protection possible from COVID-19. We are strongly encouraging everyone eligible and who wants to be vaccinated to come forward for vaccination as soon as possible as we make a particular effort before Christmas to get our population protected. 

“We know that protection delivered by the first two doses of the vaccine wanes over time, which reduces immunity and makes us more vulnerable. The best way to protect yourself, your family, and our community is to ensure you are fully vaccinated, and that means taking up the offer of the booster vaccine when you are eligible. The booster could increase your immunity by over 90 per cent, which will give you the highest level of protection from serious illness from COVID this festive season.” 

Mr Jamieson also urged our communities to keep taking preventative measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. 

“Whilst vaccination provides the best protection available from COVID-19, preventative measures are of vital importance and we need everyone to remember to wear their face masks in public places, keep a safe physical distance from others where possible, avoid crowded places, keep washing our hands regularly and take regular Lateral Flow Device (LFD) self-tests when you are asymptomatic to help identify and stop the virus spreading at the earliest possible time. And please remember, if you have symptoms, no matter how mild, to self-isolate and arrange a PCR (laboratory) test – 01851 601151.”