Covid in Scotland: 8,000 vaccine appointments issued early - BBC News
Invitations for second doses in Scotland were sent out before the eight-week recommended minimum.
About 8,000 appointments for second Covid vaccine doses in Scotland have been issued too early.

The Scottish government said it was not yet known how many health boards were affected by the "system error".

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said people invited early would be contacted and offered a later slot.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends an eight-week interval between first and second vaccine doses.

On Monday, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it would not be able to give a second vaccine to anyone with an early appointment.

The health board said on Twitter: "We ask that members of the public please check their appointment is a minimum of eight weeks after their first dose before visiting the vaccination clinic.

"We are not able to administer your second dose any earlier. This means that you must have received your first dose before 2 May."

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The Scottish government confirmed an investigation had been launched, although the fault was now said to have been fixed.

Mr Yousaf said: "We have been made aware of a system error which has led to a number of people being called forward for their second vaccination ahead of the eight-week recommended interval.

"If you have received an invitation for a second dose that is less than eight weeks after your first, please don't come to your appointment."

Humza Yousaf said there is no clinical risk associated with receiving a second dose earlier than eight weeks

He added: "If you are immunosuppressed and have an earlier second dose appointment for clinical reasons, please go along as planned.

"It's important to stress that there is no clinical risk associated with receiving the vaccine earlier than eight weeks.

"This is the recommended interval because it increases the efficacy of the vaccine and the level of protection."

The health secretary said anyone with an early appointment should rearrange by phoning Scotland's vaccination helpline or visiting NHS Inform.

The announcement came on the day First Minister Nicola Sturgeon received her second vaccine dose.

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Meanwhile, NHS Dumfries and Galloway apologised after hundreds of children who were too young to receive a vaccination received invitation letters.

Immunisation co-ordinator Dr Nigel Calvert said the health board had "got a bit ahead of ourselves" and would contact everyone affected.

A health board spokesman confirmed more than 800 letters had been sent out in error.

Dr Calvert said they could only vaccinate people who would be 18 or over by 31 July and apologised for the "misinformation" issued.