Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has called on the Scottish Government to expand the winter flu vaccine programme in order to protect vulnerable and at risk people.

The UK Government has announced that the programme will be extended to all over 50s and a greater number of people who have been identified as vulnerable. As of yet, the Scottish Government has not announced any similar plans. Jackie Baillie is concerned that this may be because of a lack of capacity in NHS boards to deliver more winter flu vaccinations.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“It is vital that the winter flu vaccination programme is expanded to cover more of the population, especially those who are vulnerable or at risk in our community and across Scotland. I have urged the Scottish Government to act now to ensure that more support and protection is in place come winter.

“It is a very real possibility that a second Covid-19 wave is just around the corner. We therefore must make sure that as many people as possible are protected from the flu come winter.

“There are concerns that health boards do not have the capacity to expand vaccinations. This is an issue that must be addressed immediately by health board chiefs and the Scottish Government. Faced with a second wave of Covid-19, our health is at increased risk if we get the flu, so expanding the vaccination programme is essential.”