Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 18 March 2022
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to prioritise the concerns and safety of immuno-compromised people in its long-term COVID-19 response and infrastructure planning.
The health and wellbeing of everyone in Scotland, including those who are immunosuppressed or immuno-compromised, is paramount as we transition out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following the success of the initial vaccination programme, the Scottish Government recently announced that a spring booster dose will be offered to everyone aged 12 and over who is immunosuppressed, in line with the JCVI recommendations.
Immunosuppressed individuals are also eligible for new treatments to minimise the impact of Covid-19, should they contract it, and have priority access to testing to ensure they receive these as quickly as possible. We will continue to respond to scientific and clinical advice regarding COVID treatments, making sure that those who we know will benefit most from them are able to access them.
We will continue to provide advice and information for people on the Highest Risk List in the meantime, including how to get help to re-connect with people and things they were doing before the pandemic, and we will continue to look at ways to identify people who may be at higher risk and ask them to follow the individualised advice from their GP or clinician who knows their circumstances and health condition best.