This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Pneumococcal vaccination programme
15/09/2003
A pneumococcal vaccination programme for all people over
65 years of age in Scotland was launched today.
From October, half a million over-65s will be offered
pneumococcal vaccination if they have not already been
vaccinated on health grounds.
The vaccine helps to protect against invasive
pneumococcal infection which can cause severe forms of
pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis.
Initially the vaccine will be offered and administered
at the same time as the flu vaccination - from October to
mid-December - in order to maximise uptake and minimise any
inconvenience to patients.
To explain the benefits of the pneumococcal vaccination
and the protection it offers, an education and publicity
campaign will begin this week.
Information materials for the campaign are being
produced by the Executive and NHSScotland and include a
public information leaflet and one for health
professionals. Television and radio coverage and
advertising will also begin this week to raise awareness of
the campaign.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"Vaccination against invasive pneumococcal disease is
not new, but up to now it has only been offered on specific
health grounds. We now have clear advice that the vaccine
can benefit people aged 65 and over as a whole, and help
them to avoid the serious consequences of pneumococcal
disease and stay fit and healthy.
"However, we know that awareness of invasive
pneumococcal disease and the vaccine is generally low, and
that many people's response - whatever their age - could be
Pneumo-what? or assume this is the flu vaccine.
"That's why, before GP practices start to offer the
vaccination in October, we are initiating a co-ordinated
Scotland-wide information and publicity campaign. This aims
to give everyone the information they need."
Mr Chisholm added:
"The information materials, and every other strand of
the vaccination programme, have been developed by a
multi-disciplinary implementation group chaired by
Professor Lewis Ritchie. I commend each and every member of
that group for a job well done.
"Outlining what pneumococcal vaccination is all about is
an important element of ensuring that this programme is a
success. High uptake of pneumococcal vaccination will help
to lower the number the people falling ill."
Maureen O'Neill, Director of Age Concern Scotland,
said:
"It is very important that older people consider all
steps to protect themselves and their good health.
Vaccination can offer simple protection against a range of
serious illnesses, and we would urge older people to
consult their GPs about the best way to prevent
ill-health."
Dr David Love, Joint Chairman of the BMA's Scottish
General Practitioners Committee, said:
"The BMA welcomes the initiative that all people aged 65
and over will be offered the pneumococcal vaccination in
Scotland. This is a one-off jag for most patients which
will help prevent serious illnesses such as pneumonia,
blood poisoning and meningitis which can be extremely
serious for older patients.
"We anticipate most practices will offer patients the
new vaccine at the same time as they receive their flu jag.
Although GP Practices will face additional workload in
delivering the pneumococcal immunisation programme, the BMA
believes that practices will do all they can to ensure a
high uptake of immunisation and protect vulnerable patients
from these serious illnesses."
The total number of patients to be immunised is likely
to be similar to the numbers for the influenza vaccine. The
associated level of GP remuneration has been put in place
and GPs have been informed of these details by the
Executive Health Department.
The pneumococcal vaccination programme is funded by the
Scottish Executive Health Department. Vaccine costs are met
from NHS Boards' delegated budgets.
The budget for all advertising and information materials
for the campaign and the influenza campaign is
£760,000.