Question reference: S5W-35345
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 19 February 2021
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 11 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates people with asthma will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Answer
Some people with asthma will receive the vaccine as part of cohort 6 on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) prioritisation list, if they require continuous or repeated use of systemic steroids or have had previous exacerbations requiring hospital admission. Supplies permitting, we aim to have offered first doses to everyone on the JCVI priority list by mid-April.
The independent JCVI recommends continuing prioritising people for vaccinations by age, as well as certain underlying conditions, as this is assessed to be the best way to address the risk of severe illness and mortality.