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Chamber and committees

Question reference: S6W-33154

  • Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • Date lodged: 10 January 2025
  • Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 21 January 2025

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to improve access to vaccines across all age groups this current flu season.


Answer

The Scottish Government has been working with Public Health Scotland and Health Boards to ensure that those who are eligible this winter are easily able to access vaccination.

Citizens were appointed to their nearest available clinic, with flexibility to reschedule into any clinic in Scotland, via the online booking portal or the national vaccination helpline, should their original appointment be unsuitable.

This gives citizens flexibility to get their winter vaccinations outside their own area, should it be easier for them to receive vaccination nearer their place of work or somewhere they visit regularly.

Boards maintain lists of those requiring home visits, and there are clear instructions on appointment letters on how to seek a home visit, if not already on a local list.

The Scottish Ambulance Service mobile vaccination service was deployed over the winter programme, offering accessible vaccination to those in rural and island areas, as well as underserved urban communities, identified by Boards.

Additionally, Boards have run dedicated clinics and drop-ins for health and social care staff, including offering vaccination at their place of work for NHS and care home staff.

On top of routine scheduling, when clinic capacity allowed, most Boards opened drop-in clinics in December, allowing those eligible to turn up and receive vaccination without having to book. These have been heavily promoted via Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, NHS Inform and by Boards.

The primary and secondary school child flu school is delivered directly in schools.

The Scottish Vaccination and Immunisation Programme (SVIP), led by PHS, reviews every winter vaccination campaign. SVIP will evaluate what went well and what can be improved for future campaigns, including what can be done to improve access. Ministers will be informed of the outcomes and will engage with key delivery partners to consider and implement improvements.