Three types of flu vaccine will be used in the adult flu vaccination programme 2020/21. This ensures that those in specific risk groups receive the most effective vaccine to provide protection against flu.
The vaccines to be used for specific age and risk groups are detailed in the CMO letter below;
CMO(2020)19 Letter : Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccination Programme 2020-21
The NES seasonal flu web page has all the information about this year's programme and provides links to a range of resources for professionals.
Risk Groups Vaccine
Those aged 65 yrs and over Adjuvanted Trivalent Inactivated Vaccine (aTIV) (Sequiris)
Those aged 18-64 yrs in at-risk groups Cell-based Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine (QIVc) (Flucelvax Tetra) (Seqiris)
Health and Social Care Workers QIVc(Flucelvax Tetra)(Sequiris) or Egg-based Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccine (QIVe) (brand/manufacturer to be confirmed)
Households of those shielding QIVc(Flucelvax Tetra)(Sequiris)
Unpaid/Young Carers QIVc(Flucelvax Tetra)(Sequiris)
Seasonal Influenza Appendix 2020/21
All details of this year's childhood flu vaccination programme are contained in the CMO letter below :
CMO(2020)17 Letter : Scottish Childhood Flu Vaccination Programme 2020-21
The Flu Vaccine PGDs for children in the season 2020-21 are listed below as are the national algorithms for deciding the vaccine to use in specific age/risk groups.
PGD Live Attenuated Intranasal Influenza Vaccine - Expiry Date Aug 2021 (not for under 2s)
PGD Inactivated Seasonal Influenza Vaccine - Expiry Date Aug 2021
Seasonal Influenza Appendix 2020/21
Algorithm to assist clinicians in deciding the flu vaccine to use in children birth - preschool 2020/21
Algorithm to assist clinicians in deciding which flu vaccine to use in primary school children 2020/21
Children Groups to be vaccinated by GP
GP practices retain responsibility for vaccinating the 2-5-year-old age group unless other arrangements have been specifically agreed with the local HSCP.
Refer to NHSGGC Seasonal Flu for information on the vaccination arrangements for each cohort group
Confirmed history of anaphylaxis - do not immunise unless in a location where resuscitation staff are available. JCVI has advised (JCVI, 2015) that children with an egg allergy – including those with previous anaphylaxis to egg – can be safely vaccinated with LAIV in any setting (including primary care and schools). The only exception is for children who have required admission to intensive care for a previous severe anaphylaxis to egg, for whom no data are available; such children are best given LAIV in the hospital setting. LAIV remains the preferred vaccine for this group and the intranasal route is less likely to cause systemic reactions. See chapter 19 of the Green Book for further information:
Children with egg allergy but who also have another condition which contraindicates LAIV should be offered a suitable quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine with a very low ovalbumin content (less than 0.12 micrograms/ml).
NHSGGC Healthcare Workers - Staff Vaccination Clinics
Information about this year's Staff Flu Vaccination Programme is available on the NHSGGC Occupational Health site
Gelatine and flu vaccines
Information and guidance for observant religious groups regarding the porcine gelatine content of vaccines is available on the link. Further information in relation to porcine gelatin in Fluenz Tetra® is outlined in the 2018 letter from the manufacturer AZ Global to the Royal Society for GPs.
Other information resources
Green Book Chapter 19 - Influenza
Last update Nov 2020