Question reference: S5W-32243
- Asked by: Sandra White, MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 2 October 2020
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jeane Freeman on 2 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the emerging evidence of the increased risks associated with contracting flu and COVID-19, how the seasonal flu programme will be delivered to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected as quickly as possible.
Answer
Because flu vaccination is more important than ever this year, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have significantly extended the groups who are eligible to receive this free vaccination. Given that this extension for the 2020-21 programme now covers up to 2.4 million people, and therefore requires a system wide approach to effective delivery, we have transferred delivery responsibility to our NHS Boards and Integration Authorities. Coverage of this number and within the timeframe required necessitates a range of different routes for patients to receive their vaccine which is different from previous years.
This expansion of the programme aims to minimise the impact of seasonal flu on the most vulnerable and reduce the strain on the NHS. The extension now includes;
- Social care workers who provide direct care,
- Household members of individuals who are shielding, and
- Those aged 55 and over.
We will also include 50 to 54 year olds as vaccines supply allows. The following table provides the likely uptake in the eligible cohorts.
Existing cohort | Likely uptake | Phase |
Children aged 2-5 (not in school) | 91,753 | 1 |
Primary school children | 303,573 | 1 |
Over 65 | 798,056 | 1 |
Under 65, but at risk | 584,000 | 1 |
Healthcare workers | 90,931 | 1 |
Unpaid and young carers | 35,597 | 1 |
Pregnant women (no additional risk factors) | 26,153 | 1 |
Pregnant women additional risk factors | 3,034 | 1 |
Frontline social care workers | 79,890 | 1 |
Eligible shielding household members | 65,922 | 1 |
55-64 year olds in Scotland who are not already eligible for the flu vaccine and not a member of a shielding household | 363,879 | 2 |
Total | 2,442,788 |
As per Scottish Government uptake planning assumptions, the Phase 1 groups represent 85% of the patients who will be vaccinated in 2020-21. Health Boards are aiming to have vaccinated a total of 1,072,237 people by the end of October, which represents 52% of the people in Phase 1 groups.
We are working closely with all NHS Boards to ensure they maximise the most appropriate route for each vaccine cohort and communicate clearly with all those who are now eligible.
We are aware of the unprecedented volume of calls that has been received by some Health Boards and NHS Inform and we are working with them to ensure that this issue is fully resolved. Scottish Government officials are supporting health boards with resources to ensure that all calls are being actioned and those eligible for the flu vaccine will receive an appointment appropriately.
We will write to all MSPs and Scottish MPs in the coming days to provide them with the particular arrangements in their relevant health board so that they can provide information and support to any constituent who raises a query with them.
Additionally, the NHS Inform website has a special flu section to provide further information and more locally tailored information will also be provided by health boards.