Chamber and committees

In scientific trials, influenza vaccines have consistently been shown to prevent laboratory-confirmed illness in between 70% and 90% of healthy adults. There is no evidence to suggest that the effectiveness of the vaccine in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers is any different to effectiveness in the general population.

Five to ten percent of the population is affected by influenza each year during seasonal winter outbreaks, and there are costs and pressures on the NHS as a result of this. However, there are currently no estimates on costs to the NHS of influenza-related illness specifically in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) make recommendations on those groups of people who are at risk from seasonal flu who should receive the free flu vaccination. At present there is limited evidence of any increased risk for pregnant women other than those in at-risk categories, and accordingly, no recommendation has been made by the JCVI. The committee does regularly review the at-risk groups to take account of the latest evidence.

Pregnant women and breast feeding mothers who are at risk from the flu due to certain medical conditions are currently eligible for vaccination. At present there are no plans to extend eligibility to all pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the UK-wide advisory body on immunisation and vaccination issues, does annually review the target groups for seasonal flu vaccination based on the latest available evidence.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends free influenza vaccination for any pregnant women in one of the eligible at-risk groups. There is currently no separate recommendation for breastfeeding mothers, but there is no evidence of risk from vaccination for breastfeeding mothers.

My officials have met with and discussed the criteria set out in current legislation with representatives of the voluntary and charitable sector. The sector has endorsed the proposal to amend secondary legislation to provide continuity and to create a bridge between the current legislation and the implementation of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act. 2007.

The changes arose following audit compliance work by Disclosure Scotland which highlighted that some voluntary and charitable sector positions fall outwith the criteria set out in current legislation. It was identified that some individuals would not have been allowed to have anything other than a basic disclosure check until the commencement of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act in 2010. So for continuity, and to ensure that local authorities are not faced with reduced services, an amendment to current legislation is being brought forward to enable organisations to request enhanced level checks.

Following audit compliance work by Disclosure Scotland (DS), both DS and the Central Registered Body for Scotland (CRBS) approached Scottish Government officials to request clarification on their different interpretations of the criteria that should be applied when defining who was eligible for an enhanced disclosure for an adult at risk position. Extensive discussions were held and it was subsequently found that more individuals within the voluntary and charitable sectors were being checked at the enhanced level than existing legislative provisions allow.

This is a matter for Disclosure Scotland and the Central Registered Body for Scotland who have operational responsibility for disclosure checks.

Discussions have taken place with COSLA. Costs for enhanced level checks for volunteers delivering social care services to adults at risk will continue to be borne by the Scottish Government.