The Scottish Government

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Smallpox vaccination of Regional Response Groups

Smallpox vaccine: Supply and distribution in Scotland

Holding Centres

Four holding centres have been identified in Scotland in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen/Inverness and Dundee to allow the vaccination of front-line health worker volunteers, in the designated Occupational Health Departments (OHDs) at these sites.

The vaccination will be undertaken by Occupational Health staff who have already been involved in training initiatives.

Release of Department of Health stock from its central UK store to vaccine holding centres can be authorised only by Dr Elizabeth Stewart at the Scottish Executive and will be arranged by Dr Stewart when Occupational Health Departments contact her indicating a need for supplies of vaccine and bifurcated needles. [Contact: 0131-244 2158] Once supplies have reached the designated vaccine holding centres, Occupational Health Departments can arrange local delivery to the designated OHD, in time for vaccination sessions.

Vaccine Tracking

It is essential that Smallpox Implementation Planning Group can account for every vial of smallpox vaccine used. The Smallpox Information Pack contains a Vaccine Tracking Form (Smallpox Information Sheet 2) and additional copies of the forms can be obtained from SEHD or SCIEH.

Vaccine holding centres should complete a vaccine tracking form on receipt of vaccine from the central store and when vaccine is released to Occupational Health Departments (substituting vaccine "released" for vaccine "used" and indicating onward destination).

Occupational Health Departments should complete a Vaccine Tracking Form on receipt of vaccine from the holding centre and after each vaccination session, indicating the number of vials used and the number retained by the Occupational Health Department.

Security and Cold Chain

Storage and supply chains will be built upon existing vaccine holding centre structures, and must meet the requirements set out in "Administering the Vaccine" contained in this Smallpox Information Pack.

Vaccination sessions will be arranged in advance and timing communicated to all those involved.

Each of the proposed holding sites will be issued with Smallpox Information Packs and the Guidance on Smallpox Vaccination of Healthcare Workers which include information on the handling and destruction of this live vaccine.

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