Engage Update - 12 December 2022

COVID Vaccine information from Public Health Scotland 

This week (08 December) marks the two year anniversary of COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Scotland.

Please use the information below to share via your information channels or verbally with your staff, volunteers, members and community.

Vaccines help to boost your immunity. As protection fades over time, it is important to have the flu and COVID-19 vaccines when they are offered. Please reassure those you support that it is not too late to get all of their recommended COVID-19 vaccines. People can get vaccinated if they have never been before or if it’s been a long time since their last COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinators will be welcoming and happy to answer any questions.

Long-term health conditions
We have produced a briefing to support those working with people who have long-term health conditions. The briefing provides information on the winter vaccination programme and health condition-specific information to share with relevant organisations/colleagues. It is important that people with long-term health conditions have all their recommended doses as they are more at risk of infection and complications from flu and COVID-19 and need extra protection. We are looking at ways we can further support organisations working with those with long-term conditions. This could be more tailored, targeted information plus social media content. Please get in touch for more information and to work with us to increase vaccine confidence and uptake. Our current professional resources can be viewed here. We have recently worked with Kidney Care UK on tailored resources.

Winter Vaccines (Flu and COVID-19)
NHS Scotland continues to offer winter vaccines. It’s not too late to take up the offer. Please see the attached Q&A for more information. NHS Inform has up-to-date, reliable information and includes a self-help guide to help people understand if they are eligible for both the flu and COVID-19 vaccine and how to access/book an appointment at their local vaccination clinic. Many Health Boards are now offering drop-in clinics. Local Health Board webpages and social media channels include details where clinics are available.

Vaccines in Pregnancy
The flu and COVID-19 vaccines are strongly recommended in pregnancy.  During pregnancy, the immune system is weaker than usual so women are at increased risk from flu and COVID-19.  More information, including videos and animations are available on NHSinform
 
Translations and other formats
All our leaflets are available in translated languages (including British Sign Language) and other formats (including Easy Read, Large Print and Audio). You can find them online at NHS Inform.  If you require publications or documents in translated languages and other formats, please contact Public Health Scotland publications - phs.otherformats@phs.scot.  
 

You can access more information on the current ‘Don’t let your protection fade’ Scottish Government marketing campaign here. Social media campaign assets are available here.  There are lots of options available so you can choose what’s most appropriate for your followers. We would appreciate your support in sharing these messages with your followers. Alternatively if you see related social media activity on the Scottish Government, local NHS or Public Health Scotland social media accounts give them a like, comment or share. Your engagement is much appreciated.