Question reference: S5W-35594
- Asked by: James Kelly, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 1 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 12 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to target COVID-19 vaccinations in deprived areas following the completion of vaccination roll-out for medically-vulnerable groups.
Answer
The JCVI group has considered evidence and all factors including age, ethnicity, occupation and additional vulnerabilities and concluded that rapid vaccine deployment is the most important means to maximise public health benefits against severe outcomes from COVID-19.
The JCVI also recommends a particular focus through communications and outreach on promoting uptake of the vaccination in Phase 2 by men, those who are in particular minority ethnic communities, those who are obese/morbidly obese, and those experiencing socio-economic deprivation.
The Scottish Government is working with faith based, third sector and community groups to reach out to more people from deprived communities to increase the vaccine uptake.
Details of this work will be provided to members shortly.