Question reference: S3W-23885
- Asked by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 12 May 2009
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 26 May 2009
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is to the NHS of extending eligibility for the free influenza vaccination programme to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Answer
The current list of at-risk groups who are entitled to free seasonal flu vaccination is based on recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI consider all the most up to date evidence to inform their recommendations and to date have made no recommendation that pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers (other than those who are otherwise in an at-risk group) should receive the seasonal flu vaccination. Accordingly no work has been done to estimate the costs to the NHS from vaccinating these groups.