Technical Notes 2023, Issue 02 - The Future of COVID-19 Vaccination Delivery Locally

Report by: 
Ann Davie, Depute Chief Executive
TN Number: 
002-23
Subject: 
The Future of COVID-19 Vaccination Delivery Locally
Responsible Officer: 
Evonne Bauer, Executive Officer, Place & Community Planning, Mark Grant, General Manager, EDLCT
Publication: 
This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.
Details: 

1. The purpose of this technical note is to provide an update to Elected Members on the current local vaccination arrangements across East Dunbartonshire, predominantly for the COVID-19 booster and the winter flu vaccination.  This subject was recently raised at the meeting of the Place Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee on 10 November 2022, since when officers having been looking to confirm with partners the longer-term planning arrangements.

2. East Dunbartonshire Council continue to work alongside Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board to ensure the delivery of necessary vaccination programmes to the people of East Dunbartonshire. The vaccination clinics take place at both Kirkintilloch Town Hall, and at Milngavie Town Hall. The clinics are run by an NHS clinical lead nurse and a team of vaccination staff from the NHS Board. However, all arrangements for organising the venue, and stewarding arrangements fall to council staff, and EDLCT staff for Kirkintilloch Town Hall.

3. The longer-term future of the COVID-19 vaccination is subject to ongoing monitoring and review of the current science and clinical evidence alongside the incidence of the virus, which is all considered and determined nationally by NHS and Scottish Government. Accordingly, at this present time, then the Council continues to support the provision of local vaccination clinics across East Dunbartonshire, to ensure the recommended vaccinations of COVID-19 and winter flu are available to those invited to come forward for immunisation.

4. The NHS Board has also been making available the shingles vaccination and the pneumococcal vaccination for specific invited older cohorts of the population, and it is expected that these will also continue to be available from the council and EDLCT venues already operating as clinics.

5. Early in 2023, the clinics will typically be operating only two to three days per week at each location, and therefore the venues may be available and be used for other activities and for letting at other times.

6. Further regular updates will be provided in relation to the future of vaccination locally when new information is available and future planning arrangements confirmed by Scottish Government and by Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board.

7. Should you wish to discuss the vaccination programmes please contact Evonne Bauer.