SNP MSP Bob Doris, Health Secretary Angela Constance and Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie.
by BILL HEANEY
Valeman Bob Doris MSP has raised the progress of the Covid-19 and Flu Winter Vaccination Programme in the Scottish Parliament.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care, Angela Constance, told him: “The flu programme launched in early September, and Covid vaccination started on 5 October. Uptake is progressing well. As of 18 October, more than 678,000 flu vaccinations had been administered, which is ahead of the figure at the same point last winter.
“More than 39 per cent of care home residents and 25 per cent of those aged 65 and over have received their flu vaccine. In the first two weeks of the Covid programme, more than 89,000 vaccinations have been administered, with more than 36,000 care home residents receiving their vaccine. I encourage everyone eligible to come forward when invited.”
Bob Doris replied: “I thank the cabinet secretary for that encouraging answer and I encourage everyone who qualifies for a vaccine to get one as quickly as possible. However, I have been contacted by a constituent who previously met the eligibility criteria for the flu and Covid vaccination programmes but for whom that changed in 2025. That followed recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which restricted access to the Covid vaccination at that time. My constituent is deeply concerned that they have been missing out since then.
” Although I absolutely acknowledge the role of the independent JCVI, does the cabinet secretary appreciate the concerns of those who now miss out on the Covid vaccination? Will the Scottish Government consider making that vaccination freely available on request for those who previously qualified but who now miss out?”
Angela Constance told him: “I would be happy to receive further information from Mr Doris about his constituent’s concern. However, I confirm that the eligibility criteria for the Covid programme have not changed and are identical to the eligibility criteria for the winter 2025 programme.
“As Mr Doris acknowledged, eligibility is based on the recommendations and advice of the JCVI. Eligibility has reduced over time as the threat of the virus has, thankfully, decreased due to increases in population immunity, which resulted from a combination of vaccinations and naturally acquired immunity after infection.
” The programme is therefore targeted at the groups who remain at risk of severe illness, hospitalisation or death—that is, residents in care homes for older adults, everyone aged 75 and over, and everyone aged six months and above who is immunosuppressed.”
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie told Parliament: “Public Health Scotland’s June 2026 report on immunisation and vaccine-preventable diseases highlighted significant inequality in vaccination uptake between those who live in the most and least deprived areas.
“Given that uptake for the COVID and flu vaccination programmes is a long-standing issue in Scotland, what measures will the Scottish Government take this winter to ensure that people with the dual challenges of potential illness and deprivation are accessing vaccinations?
Angela Constance assured MSPs: “Ms Baillie makes a legitimate point, and it is one that needs to be addressed and wrestled with each year. Various courses of action have been undertaken.
“As she knows, the situation is monitored, and weekly figures are published by Public Health Scotland. There have been communication campaigns, such as the ‘For some, flu hits harder’ campaign and the ‘Help beat flu with a simple wee scoosh’ campaign, which is targeted at children.
“We continue to work closely with Public Health Scotland and health boards to find better ways to communicate with particular communities, whether those are communities that are more impacted by poverty, or groups for whom there are other barriers, such as language. I am happy to continue to engage with Ms Baillie on that point.”