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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

Find out more about parliamentary questions

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Question reference: S6F-01022

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 25 April 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 28 April 2022

To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will investigate the reported increasing number of children being referred to the gender specialist clinic in Glasgow, in light of reports of a similar inquiry planned by the UK Government.

Question reference: S6W-07622

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how parents and children can know if they have missed a routine vaccination, and what procedures are in place for such children.

Question reference: S6W-07625

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government how many routine non-COVID-19 vaccines have had to be disposed of because they could not be used due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Neither the Scottish Government or Public Health Scotland are able to quantify how many routine vaccine doses have been disposed of due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccine wastage can be attributed to other factors and therefore delineation of contributing factors is not possible.

The Seasonal Flu Vaccination Programme is a well established programme that runs annually (usually between October – March each year), for which vaccine is procured nationally for the eligible groups. Every effort is made to minimise wastage, taking into account previous years’ vaccination uptake, whilst ensuring that sufficient stock is procured to support optimum uptake rates, and protect those most at risk of flu. During the pandemic, in 2020-21 and 2021-22 the flu programme has continued to record very good uptake across the eligible cohorts.

Question reference: S6W-07619

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government (a) whether and (b) how the routine vaccination programme for children under one year old has been impacted by recent health restrictions and reported strain on the NHS.

The routine childhood immunisation programmes have continued in Scotland throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for children of all ages.

Uptake for vaccines given to children aged under one year has remained consistently high in Scotland. Statistics on childhood immunisations are published quarterly by Public Health Scotland, which show that around 96% of children had received each routine immunisation by the time they were 12 months of age in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Uptake of the rotavirus vaccination by 12 months of age increased during the pandemic, from 93.2% in 2019 to 94.2% in 2021. Uptake of the first dose of MMR by the age of 24 months also increased, rising from 94% in 2019 to 94.4% in 2021.

The continued high uptake of childhood immunisations is a testament to the hard work and commitment of the NHS and the recognition of the benefits of vaccination.

Question reference: S6W-07621

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Maree Todd on 25 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what capacity there currently is to offer catch-up vaccinations for children who have missed one or more routine vaccinations.

The routine pre-school immunisation programmes are delivered by local Health Boards in Scotland. If a child has missed a routine immunisation appointment, their parent or guardian will be able to contact the Health Board directly to arrange another appointment.

The Personal Child Health Record (or Red Book) is provided to all parents in Scotland and contains information on what vaccinations children should receive and when they should receive them, and is used to record when a vaccination has been administered. This enables parents or guardians to check whether any vaccinations have been missed, and provides contact details to arrange an appointment if needed. Information on childhood vaccinations is also available on the Parent Club website.

If a parent or guardian is unsure on the vaccination status of a child, they can contact their local Health Board or GP who will be able to provide them with more information.

Question reference: S6W-07620

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 21 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government (a) whether and (b) how the routine vaccination programme for children aged one to 18 has been impacted by recent health restrictions, school closures and reported strain on the NHS.

The Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland (PHS) have worked with Health Boards to support their planning and safe delivery of immunisation services throughout the pandemic.

The routine childhood immunisation programmes have continued in Scotland throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for children of all ages.

Uptake for vaccines given to children has remained consistently high in Scotland. Statistics on childhood immunisations published quarterly by PHS show that around 96% of children had received each routine immunisation by the time they were 12 months of age in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Uptake of the first dose of MMR by the age of 24 months also increased, rising from 94% in 2019 to 94.4% in 2021.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HPV and Teenage booster programmes were delayed due to school closures. Pupils who were not offered their vaccines or who missed the immunisation sessions at school, are being offered these vaccines during planned catch-up sessions arranged by their Health Boards.

The Seasonal Flu Vaccination Programme ran from 6 September 2021 to 31 March 2022. On 15 December 2021, flu delivery was paused to support further acceleration of the COVID-19 booster programme. Prior to the end of the year, Health Boards had already offered flu vaccinations in primary and secondary schools, and to children under 5 with at risk conditions.

The most recent PHS publications can be found online: Publications - Public Health Scotland

Question reference: S6W-07626

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it can confirm that examinations will still proceed in the event of increases in COVID-19 cases within the school estate.

Question reference: S6W-07627

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what contingencies have been put in place for online exam revision classes in the event of school staff absences and/or student illness due to COVID-19.

Schools are best placed to support learners and give them the best chance to demonstrate their potential. Guidance makes clear that schools should ensure remote learning materials are in place in circumstances where they are required. We continue to make resources available to support that contingency.

£4 million of funding is being made available to schools and colleges to increase Easter study support where appropriate, particularly for those from the most deprived backgrounds. Schools and colleges have the flexibility to deliver that support as they see fit, including online.

This support is complemented by an enhanced range of options for online learning through the National e-Learning Offer (NeLO). In the event of school staff absences and learners revising at home, even at short notice, NeLO is available. Educators can refer their learners to collections of resources - recorded, supported and often live interactive webinars - and schools can make parents and learners aware that these resources are available whenever remote learning is required.

Question reference: S6W-07618

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to ensure that there are enough invigilators for examinations, in light of reports of increasing numbers of staff absences due to COVID-19.

Question reference: S6W-07623

Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 19 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government (a) whether and (b) how any impact on the routine vaccination programme in NHS boards that (i) have had code black status declared and (ii) are in more rural areas has been different from any impact in other NHS boards.

The routine immunisation programmes have continued in Scotland throughout the COVID-19 pandemic despite code black status being declared in some NHS Boards.

Uptake rates for routine programmes have remained consistently high across Scotland. Maintaining the best possible uptake of immunisations is a priority for the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland, and this reflects the hard work and commitment of our colleagues within the NHS.

The latest statistical releases from Public Health Scotland can be found here: Publications - Public Health Scotland