Co-Administration of Covid-19 and Flu Vaccines in Scotland: Enablers, and Assessment of Uptake

1 Pages Posted: 28 Sep 2023

See all articles by Nuala Healy

Nuala Healy

Government of the United Kingdom - Public Health Scotland

Debbie Maguire

Scottish Government

Graham McGowan

Government of the United Kingdom - Public Health Scotland

J. Claire Cameron

Government of the United Kingdom - Public Health Scotland

Lorna Willocks

Scottish Government

Abstract

Introduction

In autumn 2021 and again in 2022, eligible people in Scotland were offered both their annual flu vaccine and Covid-19 booster vaccine at the same appointment.

We report on practical enablers of this approach, and on how many of those who attended for their appointment accepted both vaccines offered.

Methods 

All 440 clinic venues across Scotland offered both flu and Covid-19 vaccines. Both vaccines were readily available in all vaccine clinics due to the central distribution of both flu and Covid-19 vaccines in Scotland.

People were invited to one generic winter vaccine appointment (not separate Covid and flu bookings). Invitation letters, information leaflets and the communications campaign (slogan ‘Don’t let your protection fade’) all referred to ‘winter vaccines’.

Additionally both vaccines were offered together on site to residents of care homes.

In both years, delivery of the programme started in the first week of September allowing completion by mid December.

Results

For people eligible for a Covid-19 booster vaccine in 2022, 89.8% of Covid-19 booster vaccines were co-administered with flu at the same appointment, a significant increase from the previous season.

Co-administration rate varied slightly by risk group with all groups showing consistently high rates.

Overall uptake remained high.  In 2022; uptake of the Covid booster for all eligible adults was 73% (1.99m vaccines), and uptake of flu vaccine was 64% (1.93m vaccines).

Discussion

Co-administration of annual winter vaccines increases efficiency of vaccine delivery as it allows more vaccines to given in fewer appointments, and reduces the amount of staff time needed.

These data show that at the appointment, public acceptability of receiving both vaccines together was very high. Overall uptake was at a similar or higher level to previous years suggesting that co-administration was not a barrier to people coming forward for their winter vaccines.

Note: This conference abstract was presented at the 17th Vaccine Conference organized by the journal Vaccine. This abstract has not been screened by SSRN for potential for public harm and should not be used to inform any clinical decision making. No competing interests or funding statements have been declared.

Suggested Citation

Healy, Nuala and Maguire, Debbie and McGowan, Graham and Cameron, J. Claire and Willocks, Lorna, Co-Administration of Covid-19 and Flu Vaccines in Scotland: Enablers, and Assessment of Uptake. 17TH VACCINE CONGRESS:P2.073, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4586121 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4586121

Nuala Healy

Government of the United Kingdom - Public Health Scotland ( email )

Debbie Maguire

Scottish Government ( email )

Graham McGowan

Government of the United Kingdom - Public Health Scotland ( email )

J. Claire Cameron (Contact Author)

Government of the United Kingdom - Public Health Scotland ( email )

United States

Lorna Willocks

Scottish Government ( email )

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