Question reference: S6W-27106
- Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 29 April 2024
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Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 7 May 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will outline the rationale for a cut-off date of September for people aged 70 or over for eligibility for the shingles vaccine.
Answer
The 1 September cut-off date for the shingles programme has been in place since the introduction of the programme in 2013. At that point it aligned the offer of shingles vaccine with seasonal flu vaccinations.
The cut-off date ensures that only those eligible for vaccination within the current year’s programme as recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are included, and assists NHS Boards with planning and delivery locally, drawing up cohort lists (determined by date of birth) and the management of vaccine supply. It also supports the catch up programme for those who are aged 71-79 years who have not previously been vaccinated but remain eligible.