Seasonal flu vaccination programme
Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care - seasonal flu vaccination programme - 19 August 2021
Convener,
The seasonal flu vaccination programme helps to protect the most vulnerable and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scottish Government wish to confirm the groups that will be eligible for the seasonal flu vaccination this year and those who will be offered the vaccine for the first time as part of this year’s extension. The programme’s key aim is to protect those most at risk from flu in the coming season and to ensure that the impact of potential co-circulation of flu and COVID-19 is kept to an absolute minimum.
Based on clinical advice we have received from JCVI, we have sought to prioritise those at highest clinical risk and those in the existing eligible cohorts are:
o Pre-school children aged 2-5 years;
o All primary school children in P 1-7,
o All patients aged 65 years and over,
o All patients aged 18-64 years at clinical risk,
o Pregnant women,
o Unpaid Carers and young carers,
o Health and Social Care workers.
This year we are extending the national programme again offering vaccination to:
o Independent Contractors (GP, dental and optometry practices, community pharmacists, laboratory staff working on COVID-19 testing) including support staff,
o Teachers, Nursery Teachers and pupil facing support staff (in both a Local Authority and Independent setting),
o prison population and prison officers and support staff who deliver direct detention services,
o secondary school pupils and;
o all those aged 50-64 years old.
Responsibility for delivering the Seasonal Flu Vaccine in 2021/22 rests with Health Boards and Integration Authorities. NHS Scotland Boards will use the delivery model which is most suitable for their local circumstances, whilst maintaining a COVID-19 safe environment and maximising efficiency.
Further information on the planning and rollout of the 2021-22 Seasonal Flu Vaccination Programme is detailed in the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) letter which has been circulated to all Scottish Health Boards. A copy can be accessed via the following link: CMO(2021)07 - Adult flu immunisation programme 2021/22 (scot.nhs.uk)
Interim advice from the JCVI notes that a synergistic approach to delivery of COVID-19 booster vaccination alongside flu vaccination, such as potentially administering both vaccines in a single appointment (co-vaccination), where possible, to protect those at risk from flu this winter, may support delivery and maximise uptake of both vaccines.
The JCVI will consider additional scientific data from the COV-BOOST vaccine trial when this becomes available. The trial, being led by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, is studying the use of seven different COVID-19 vaccines when given as a third dose. The approach that will be taken in Scotland in the autumn is, however, contingent on the JCVI’s final advice, as this will be vital in helping to determine the final logistics of the autumn/winter vaccination programme. We expect to receive the final advice in mid September 2021.
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this is the largest number of people ever offered seasonal flu vaccination protection. This will ensure that around 4 million people in Scotland will be offered a vaccine this year compared to almost 1.94 million people having received their flu vaccination last winter, which is more than the last two flu seasons. We have secured sufficient vaccine to vaccine against our planning assumptions for each group, but will be keeping this under careful review to ensure the maximum uptake is achieved.
I hope that the Committee finds this material helpful and I will keep the Committee updated on any further developments on the seasonal flu programme in due course.
Humza Yousaf
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care