Question reference: S5W-36034
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 11 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 19 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will prioritise the COVID-19 vaccination of mountain rescue workers.
Answer
We are adhering to the priority list devised by the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who have advised an age-based programme will capture those with clinical risk factors as the risk of death is very strongly linked with age, more so than any other factor. A number of mountain rescue workers may fall into the priority risk groups set out by the JCVI based on their age and health; and these individuals will receive an invitation to their vaccine appointment.
In addition, some mountain rescue workers may be vaccinated as part of cohort 2 - frontline health and social care workers – but only when they are assisting other emergency services due to pandemic pressures, such as: the Mountain Rescue Service assisting Scottish Ambulance Service.