What its response is to reports that there is a shortage of the hepatitis B vaccine for staff, particularly for nurses and other ancillary …

Since mid-2017 the NHS in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom has experienced a shortage of hepatitis B vaccine due to global manufacturing issues. The vaccine supply position was very constrained in 2017. In August 2017 Scotland adopted temporary recommendations which provided advice on assessment of individual risk prioritisation of vaccine for those at highest immediate need.
NHS National Procurement continues to liaise closely with vaccine manufacturers to provide Health Protection Scotland and the NHS across Scotland updates with respect to the supply position and specifically available allocations of vaccine.
Vaccine supplies have improved in 2018 as manufacturing issues in the major supplier of hepatitis B vaccine have resolved. Supplies have remained constrained due to backlog demand from 2017 and reduced UK supply from another manufacturer. With the improving supply position there has been a move toward a phased introduction of hepatitis B vaccine in lower priority groups, including for use in occupational health services.