Inspired Question · S5W-24406 · Session 5
What its planned approach is for vaccination programmes for the 2019-20 flu season.
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what its planned approach is for vaccination programmes for the 2019-20 flu season.
The answer
Our forthcoming flu vaccination programme will formally begin in October 2019, with a public awareness campaign, and runs until March 2020.
The vaccination programme will provide everyone who is eligible the opportunity to receive the flu vaccination for free through the NHS. The following people are eligible:Those aged over 65Those under 65 with a health condition (for example diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or asthma resulting in regular use of an inhaler)Pregnant womenHealthcare workersChildren aged 2 – 5 (and not yet in school)Primary school children (vaccination delivered at school)
The vaccines that have been procured for Scotland for the forthcoming season are in line with the recommendations of the independent expert ‘Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’ (JCVI). Health Protection Scotland have worked with Health Board Leads to allocate vaccines appropriately between the boards.
The following vaccines will be available for use in the groups outlined below:
Individuals aged 65 years and over will receive adjuvanted Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine (aTIV) (Fluad ®) or cell based Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine (QIVc) (Flucelvax Tetra®). Both vaccines are considered by the JCVI to be equally effective for this cohort.
Individuals aged 18-64 years with at risk conditions will receive either QIVc or egg based Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine (QIVe). Both vaccines are considered by the JCVI to be equally effective for this cohort
Healthcare workers (HCWs) will be offered QIVe through Health Boards to support their vaccination programme.
2-5 year olds not yet in school, all primary school aged children, and those in clinical risk groups under age 18, will receive Quadrivalent live attenuated intranasal vaccine Fluenz Tetra ® (LAIV). As this vaccine has a shorter shelf life than other vaccines it will be subject to phased delivery to ensure ‘in date’ vaccine is available throughout the season; this is the case across the UK as the vaccine for this programme is procured on behalf of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland by Public Health England (PHE).
The programmes are anticipated to have sufficient vaccine procured and supplied and will be subject to ongoing management at a local level. We will continue to monitor supply as we approach and go through the season.
Health Board Immunisation Coordinators are in place to help address any local issues, with support at national level from Scottish Government and key partner Health Protection Scotland.
The flu vaccine remains the best protection against flu and we would encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated.
The vaccination programme will provide everyone who is eligible the opportunity to receive the flu vaccination for free through the NHS. The following people are eligible:Those aged over 65Those under 65 with a health condition (for example diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or asthma resulting in regular use of an inhaler)Pregnant womenHealthcare workersChildren aged 2 – 5 (and not yet in school)Primary school children (vaccination delivered at school)
The vaccines that have been procured for Scotland for the forthcoming season are in line with the recommendations of the independent expert ‘Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’ (JCVI). Health Protection Scotland have worked with Health Board Leads to allocate vaccines appropriately between the boards.
The following vaccines will be available for use in the groups outlined below:
Individuals aged 65 years and over will receive adjuvanted Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine (aTIV) (Fluad ®) or cell based Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine (QIVc) (Flucelvax Tetra®). Both vaccines are considered by the JCVI to be equally effective for this cohort.
Individuals aged 18-64 years with at risk conditions will receive either QIVc or egg based Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine (QIVe). Both vaccines are considered by the JCVI to be equally effective for this cohort
Healthcare workers (HCWs) will be offered QIVe through Health Boards to support their vaccination programme.
2-5 year olds not yet in school, all primary school aged children, and those in clinical risk groups under age 18, will receive Quadrivalent live attenuated intranasal vaccine Fluenz Tetra ® (LAIV). As this vaccine has a shorter shelf life than other vaccines it will be subject to phased delivery to ensure ‘in date’ vaccine is available throughout the season; this is the case across the UK as the vaccine for this programme is procured on behalf of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland by Public Health England (PHE).
The programmes are anticipated to have sufficient vaccine procured and supplied and will be subject to ongoing management at a local level. We will continue to monitor supply as we approach and go through the season.
Health Board Immunisation Coordinators are in place to help address any local issues, with support at national level from Scottish Government and key partner Health Protection Scotland.
The flu vaccine remains the best protection against flu and we would encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-24406 by reference.