Question reference: S6W-04228
- Date lodged: 8 November 2021 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 17 November 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to increase the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination by pregnant women.
Answer
We continue to provide advice and support to pregnant women regarding the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination to allow them to make an informed choice.
Copies of the Public Health Scotland (PHS) leaflet: PHS COVID-19 Vaccine Important Information about pregnancy and breastfeeding leaflet and the RCOG information leaflet and decision aid have been supplied to all maternity and vaccination clinics across Scotland. The national leaflets, published by Public Health Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Immunisation Programme, are provided to those who are invited for vaccination are part of an established and quality assured process, with strong links and similarities to the programme in the rest of the UK. The PHS leaflet is available in a range of languages and alternative formats , including British Sign Language, Audio, Easy Read, Large Print, etc. People should be given the PHS and RCOG leaflets from maternity services before they attend for vaccination and are encouraged to read both leaflets. The PHS leaflet is updated/reprinted when any new data emerges.
The Scottish Government ensures there is accurate signposting to www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccinepregnancy for current guidance, and a range of resources have been distributed including posters and social media assets, alongside training webinars.
Community outreach and external resources like Badgernet (an online platform that allows pregnant woman access to maternity records and information) are regularly updated with relevant material.
Health Boards (HBs) are regularly supplied with relevant information and lines to use regarding receiving the vaccine when pregnant, and the following videos were pushed out to HBs to be shared locally Pregnancy 15 second video Fertility 15 second video
Prof Jason Leitch has touched on the recommendation that pregnant women should be vaccinated in two Podcasts. One with Young Scot and one with Jambo radio. Both podcasts were pushed out by Scottish Government and issued to the boards for them to use locally