Question reference: S6W-08182
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 28 April 2022
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 11 May 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what action is being taken to ensure that severely immunosuppressed people are not at risk of contracting COVID-19 following the lifting of restrictions.
Answer
Before we made the decision to lift remaining legal measures and close the Highest Risk list, we and our clinical advisers carefully considered the impact on people who are immunosuppressed or immunocompromised. There is strong evidence to show that the vaccine is offering significant protection and preventing the majority of people whose immune systems are suppressed or compromised from becoming severely ill if they are infected with COVID-19.
We know that the degree of protection offered by the vaccines wanes over time, which is why booster vaccinations are needed to maintain the best protection against COVID-19 for those at highest risk of the severe effects of the virus. Second booster appointments for people with suppressed immune systems have already started.
However, we are also aware that for some of this group, it is not possible to mount a full immune response due to their medication, treatment or health condition.
Many immunosuppressed or immunocompromised individuals lived with and managed the risk posed by other diseases and infections before the COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to be advised by their GP and specialist clinical team, who best know their individual circumstances, on how to reduce their risk of infection from both COVID-19 and other viruses. We’ve also made new treatments available to those who are eligible for them who will benefit the most – including some people who are immunocompromised or immunosuppressed .