Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-32003 on 2 October 2020. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government is working with partners on developing a national COVID-19 Dementia Transition and Resilience Plan and we will work with national and local partners across all sectors to support implementation of that plan. As part of that plan we will assess the delivery of COVID-19 guidance to people living with dementia.

Throughout the stages of the pandemic and the Scottish Government’s response to date we have worked intensively with stakeholders on supporting the delivery, awareness of and implementation of population level and targeted COVID-19 guidance.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, the Scottish Government does not hold information on positive tests that were subsequently retested.

Those most at risk from the seasonal flu are already eligible to receive the vaccine for free and the responsibility for delivering the Seasonal Flu Vaccine in 2020-21 rests with Health Boards and Integration Authorities. The Scottish Government is actively engaged with NHS Boards and public health partners in planning for this year’s vaccination programme that will begin on 1st October.

We are also extending the free seasonal flu vaccine to social care workers who provide direct care, which will help to protect them against the risk which they are exposed to, while also providing indirect protection to the people they care for.

The Scottish Government has worked with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations to take a four nations approach to procuring vaccine for the 2020-21 Seasonal Flu Vaccination Programme.

The vaccines procured through this route make up a portion of the vaccines required to deliver this years proposed programme.

The Scottish Government has procured significant additional doses of vaccine to deliver this year’s expansion and to increase uptake in the most at-risk groups.

The most effective way to protect against seasonal flu is continuing to prioritise those who are most at risk and those individuals who are already eligible to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. This season, we will aim to vaccinate more people within those groups than ever before. In total, we are aiming to vaccinate over 2.4 million people, which is an increase of 800,000 from last year’s programme.

To ensure there is sufficient vaccine within the system, we have procured additional stocks to address any increased demand this season. NHS Scotland Health Boards will be delivering this expansion, and will be taking a phased approach. This allows the health boards to begin vaccination for different groups, as soon as the necessary supply of vaccine becomes available, whilst prioritising those most at risk.

The seasonal flu vaccination programme helps to protect the most vulnerable and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are extending free eligibility to social care workers who provide direct care, household members of individuals who are shielding, all those aged 55 and over, and those aged 50-54 if vaccine supplies allow.

We recognise that uptake of the seasonal flu vaccine is more important than ever in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. We aim to vaccinate more people in the groups with existing eligibility than ever before, and have procured enough vaccine to support this.

Responsibility for delivering the Seasonal Flu Vaccine in 2020-21 rests with Health Boards and Integration Authorities. NHS Scotland Boards will use the delivery model which is most suitable for their local circumstances, maintaining a Covid-safe environment and maximising efficiency.

The Scottish Government aims to vaccinate more people within groups with existing eligibility than ever before and is actively engaged with public health partners in planning for the 2020-21 Flu Vaccination Programme that will begin on 1st October.

Scotland has a reputation for high seasonal flu vaccine uptake and our working assumptions for each of the eligible cohorts is as follows:

• 75% uptake for the 65 years and over group, and the under 65’s “at-risk” group (including pregnant women).
• 60% uptake for health and social care workers.
• 65% uptake for the 2-5 year olds (not yet at school) being offered immunisation primarily at GP practices.
• 75% uptake for the primary school aged children being offered immunisation at school.

The seasonal flu vaccination programme will be critically important in terms of protecting the most vulnerable and alleviating pressure on the NHS. Given that a high proportion of those shielding are either over 55, or else have an underlying health condition, it is likely that many of them are already eligible for the seasonal flu vaccine.

Scottish Health Board plans for delivery of the seasonal flu vaccination include using a variety of settings given this is an expanded programme.