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We are not currently vaccinating children under 16 years old, except for those seriously at risk. As COVID-19 vaccines are currently unlicensed for those under 16, vaccines can only be offered on an exceptional case by case basis by a prescriber based on a risk assessment of an individual.

Clinical trials are currently underway for vaccination of children and young people, and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is currently reviewing vaccinations for 12-15 year olds.

The Scottish Government continues to engage with vaccine developers and the JCVI so that if trials are successful we are ready to vaccinate younger age groups, if that is what the clinical and scientific evidence supports.

We are committed to learning lessons on every aspect of the response to Covid-19 and are currently exploring the interplay between the UK inquiry and any Scottish inquiry. We will update Parliament on plans as soon as possible.

The Scottish Government is expecting a report on progressive stroke services by the end of December 2021. This Report will help to support and drive improvement in stroke services across Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people who have had a stroke receive the best possible care as quickly as possible to enable them to live longer, healthier independent lives. That’s why the Programme for Government 2019-20 commits to ensuring that improvements are made to stroke pathways and services, including prevention, treatment and care. Work is ongoing to deliver against those commitments.

The Scottish Government has worked in collaboratively with Public Sector and Third Sector colleagues to produce a number of assets as part of the marketing and communications strategy for the COVID-19 vaccination programme, some of which are outlined below:

1. In partnership with BEMIS and the Ethnic Minority National Resilience Network (EMNRN) we have gathered feedback from ME organisations to shape inclusive communications, which has influenced messaging and available formats. For example, we have used the insight to create a ‘Vaccine Explainer Video’ which provides key facts about the Covid vaccines for those who may be hesitant, or for those more likely to have been exposed to myths/misinformation. This video is currently being produced in BSL and in multiple community languages.

2. Key campaign information leaflets about the vaccine have been translated in various languages and accessible formats for inclusion on NHS Inform vaccine content for distribution via stakeholders.

3. Translated versions of the Roll Up Your Sleeves TV Campaign videos were produced in 7 community languages (Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi, Polish, Romanian, Urdu and Punjabi), with further translations development for the campaign targeting 18-49 year olds.

4. Translated versions of the ‘What to Expect at a Vaccination Site’ Walkthrough Video was created in partnership with PHS and MECOPP, with development including considerations to accessible wording and content.

5. A Ramadan Film was created in April 2021 in partnership with the British Islamic Medical Association – This video was to reassure Muslims who were concerned about getting the vaccine while fasting.

6. A Stakeholder Toolkit specifically created for ME communities for Phase 3 of Roll Up Your Sleeves was launched in April 2021 to all relevant stakeholders. The toolkit included social media posts which signposted to the language-specific pages PHS created.

7. A Myth Busting Film fronted by Dr Punam Krishan was launched in May 2021 and was reviewed by ME groups to ensure accessible wording/content and translated into 10 community languages. It addresses concerns about the vaccine such as not containing pork or animal origin and that it won’t alter DNA. This was shared on Dr Krishan’s IGTV, through SG channels and shared via PHS and NHS Boards.

Other examples of initiatives can be found in the Vaccine Deployment Plan: Coronavirus (COVID-19): vaccine deployment plan: update - March 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Information on arrivals into the UK are published by the Home Office and can be found here: Immigration statistics, year ending March 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

All travellers have to take a COVID-19 test within 72hrs of their departure; evidence has to presented to the carrier prior to boarding the aircraft at their port of origin. To be allowed to enter the country, all travellers need to be in possession of the relevant managed quarantine or test package dependent on which country they have come from or transited through. This is checked at the UK border.

Information on the number of NHS patients waiting for treatment is published quarterly by Public Health Scotland and can be found at NHS waiting times - stage of treatment 25 May 2021 - Data & intelligence from PHS (isdscotland.org)

This data shows the number of patients on waiting lists and how many have been waiting over 12 weeks. This is shown by NHS Board and can be filtered to show numbers by specialities.

Our inclusive approach to the COVID-19 vaccination is outlined in the letter to Mr Choudhury dated 8 th June. Our approach is constantly adapting in response to data, feedback from stakeholders and other evidence sources.

Equality data  COVID-19 statistical report 2 June 2021 - Data & intelligence from PHS (isdscotland.org)

The Scottish Government welcomes the work of the European Stroke Organisation and we agree that it is vital to ensure improvements are made to stroke pathways and services, including prevention, treatment and care.

Through our Programme for Government commitments and the Stroke Improvement Plan, we are already reflecting the aims of the European Stroke Organisation’s appeal targets.

We will continue to implement our Stroke Improvement Plan which sets out our priorities for improving diagnosis, treatment and care for those affected by stroke alongside the ongoing work to deliver the Programme for Government stroke commitments. We are expecting a report on progressive stroke services by the end of December 2021. This will set the intention for our future actions to improve care for people with stroke.

Information on cancelled planned operations are published by Public Health Scotland on a monthly basis. These details can be found at Cancelled planned operations 1 June 2021 - Data & intelligence from PHS (isdscotland.org)

This information shows the number of cancelled scheduled operations by NHS Board and the reasons for these cancellations.

We have worked to ensure that nobody is placed at detriment as a result of their participation in the programme as a vaccinator.

Our desire to protect as much of Scotland’s population as quickly as possible has necessitated the deployment of all available resources, and the rate of progress we have seen would not have been possible without the mobilisation at pace of a large, capable and diverse workforce. We are grateful for the contribution nurses have made alongside other Healthcare Professionals.

It is our expectation that reliance on the temporary measures currently in place will reduce as Health Boards continue with efforts to recruit a sustainable vaccinator workforce.