Vaccination Transformation Programme
In Scotland, we are modernising the delivery of vaccination services. In 2017, the Scottish Government and the Scottish General Practitioners Committee (SGPC) agreed vaccinations would move away from a model based on GP delivery to one based on NHS Board/Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) delivery through dedicated teams.
The Vaccination Transformation Programme (VTP) began on 1 April 2018. It is expected that Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) and NHS Boards will have all programmes transformed by the end of the 4 year transition period (April 2022).
The VTP is divided into different workstreams:
- pre-school programme
- school based programme
- travel vaccinations and travel health advice
- influenza programme
- at risk and age group programmes (shingles, pneumococcal, hepatitis B).
Exploring public views of vaccination service delivery
Modernising vaccination services must include an understanding of patients’ views. To help inform how vaccination services are modernised under VTP, NHS Health Scotland commissioned focus group discussions with adults living in different areas of Scotland to find out their views of vaccination services. This study explored people’s current experience of vaccination services and views on what they consider to be the key elements of an effective vaccination service delivery model in the future.
Interventions to engage people in immunisation programmes
People aged 60 years and over
A rapid review looked for evidence on ways to improve uptake of influenza, shingles and pneumococcal immunisation programmes among adults aged 60 years and over.
Some adult populations may experience barriers to getting vaccinated so the review looked for interventions to engage:
- those in nursing homes, care homes, assisted living or sheltered housing
- those with reduced cognitive ability (for example, people with dementia and people with Alzheimer’s disease)
- those with reduced mobility or housebound individuals
- those living in remote/rural areas.
The review also looked for interventions to improve healthcare provider knowledge about vaccination to improve adult vaccination uptake as they play an important role in a patient’s decision to get vaccinated.
Underserved populations
Underserved populations experience inequalities in health and are often undervaccinated, being at greater risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. During the VTP transition, it is important that vaccination coverage is maintained or improved, and the inequalities gap closes further.
Underserved populations covered by this review were selected by business change managers for VTP within local health boards through a prioritisation process, and include:
- people from deprived areas
- people whose first language is not English
- Gypsy/Traveller communities
- people with learning disabilities.
Contacts for the VTP
Business Change Managers have been identified in each territorial NHS Health Board. They will work with their local Health and Social Care partners and Integration Boards to redesign vaccination service delivery models.
To discuss the VTP development in your area, please contact your local Health Board's Business Change Manager.