Charity says Scotland's narrower Covid booster eligibility is 'puzzling' as winter jab rollout begins

Age Scotland has criticised the Scottish government's decision to limit Covid-19 booster invitations this winter to people aged 75 and over and those who are immunosuppressed, calling the move "puzzling" as the NHS prepares to offer free flu vaccines to everyone aged 65 and older.

The government said it was following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which recommended focusing Covid boosters on the very oldest adults and those with weakened immune systems after assessing risks, benefits and cost-effectiveness. The flu vaccination programme will again be offered to people aged 65 and over, as well as to children aged two to 18, frontline health and social care staff, and other specified at‑risk groups.

Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said she could not understand why someone aged between 65 and 74 could receive a free flu vaccine but would not be routinely offered a Covid booster at the same appointment. She warned the differing criteria risked confusing older people and could affect how they behave during the winter months, potentially increasing isolation for some.

"It does feel as though the government is moving to vaccinate to the bare minimum and that feels really puzzling," Crawford said. She urged ministers to consider whether Scottish policy should diverge from the UK-wide JCVI recommendation for this winter, arguing broader Covid vaccination for vulnerable groups could help reduce pressure on health services.

Public health minister Jenni Minto said the Scottish government continued to be guided by the JCVI and that the overall threat from Covid-19 has diminished because of high levels of immunity from vaccination and prior infection. The JCVI's advice states Covid-19 is now a "relatively mild disease for most people," with rates of hospitalisation and death substantially reduced compared with earlier in the pandemic.

The change marks a narrowing of age-based Covid booster eligibility from previous winters. In 2022, boosters were offered to all people aged 50 and over, and for the two winters prior, anyone aged 65 and over was routinely invited. For autumn 2025, Public Health Scotland lists eligible groups for the Covid vaccination as adults over 75, residents in care homes for older adults, and individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed.

Flu vaccine eligibility has returned in part to pre-pandemic criteria after a period of wider coverage. During the Covid pandemic, free flu jabs were extended to 50- to 64-year-olds, and last year secondary school pupils were included among children offered the vaccine. Public Health Scotland said this winter's programme will again invite all children aged two to 18, while continuing to offer flu jabs to people with certain health conditions, pregnant women, those in long‑stay care settings, unpaid carers, frontline health and social care workers, prisoners, and others identified as at risk.

Campaigners and some health charities have pointed to sharp rises in flu mortality and falls in adult vaccine uptake as context for their concerns. Official figures show flu deaths reached a 40‑year high in the first 14 weeks of 2025. Overall flu vaccination numbers fell by about 350,000 between winter 2023/24 and 2024/25, dropping from nearly 1.65 million to under 1.3 million, with authorities saying uptake was high among children and those at highest risk but poor among adults more broadly.

Health boards across Scotland are beginning to roll out their vaccination programmes this month. The NHS will contact eligible people with appointment details or invites to book. Public Health Scotland and the Scottish government said decisions on eligibility for the autumn vaccination programmes were made on clinical advice and assessment of current risks and resources.