Vaccinations recognised by NHS Scotland: FOI release

Information requested

1) Which vaccinations received overseas are recognised by NHS scotland and will be included in a patients covid vaccine status record.

2) Which countries are recognised by NHS Scotland in regard to providing a legitimate covid vaccine status.

3) What is the vaccination status of residents returning to Scotland after a trip overseas where they received an astra zenica covid vaccination that is not recognised by NHS Scotland. Is that vaccination completely disregarded in respect of that persons NHS Scotland vaccination status.

4) When a resident returns to Scotland after a short trip overseas where they received a covid vaccination that is not recognised by NHS Scotland are they then required to have two vaccinations of Astra Zenica from NHS Scotland to enable them to have a double vaccinated record and subsequent download certificate.

5) If a person has returned to Scotland from a short trip overseas where they received an astra zenica vaccination not recognised by NHS Scotland, and has subsequently received two Astra zenica vaccinations 4 months apart from their local NHS Scotland board area, should those vaccinations be recorded on their vaccine status record.
If not why would this be.

6) Explain to procedure for persons returning to Scotland with one covid vaccination not recognised by NHS Scotland, who wish to have themselves fully vaccinated and provided with a double vaccinated status certificate.

Response

1) Under Section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

The Covid Certification Scheme in Scotland recognises proof of vaccination from across the UK and Crown Dependencies as well as from members of the EU Digital Covid Certification Scheme. The EU scheme currently includes all EU Member States plus an additional 24 countries and territories. Further information on the EU Scheme is available here: EU Digital COVID Certificate | European Commission (europa.eu)

The Covid Certification Scheme will also recognise proof of vaccination for travellers to Scotland outwith the UK and the EU who are seeking to access venues covered by the scheme if they have received a vaccine approved by the UK’s Medicine Health Regulation Authority (MHRA). The vaccines currently approved by the MHRA are Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen (single dose vaccine). If travellers from outwith the UK and the EU have received a different vaccine, they will be required to show a record of a native test for the purposes of gaining access to such venues included in the scheme.

You can find further information on the Scottish Government’s Covid Certification Scheme available here: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Covid certification scheme - information for customers - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

2) Under Section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

The Request an update to your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination record service provided by NHS Inform allows those who have received one of their first coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations outwith Scotland to upload official proof of vaccination from approved countries to their Scottish vaccination record. This means that they will have a combined fully vaccinated status record to show to travel or domestic purposes. The guidance also includes a list of approved countries which you may wish to consider.

3) Under Section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is currently recognised by the UK’s MHRA. As indicated in question 2, there is a system in place through NHS Inform so that residents in Scotland can update their vaccination status in instances in which they received one dose of a Coronavirus vaccine in another country.

4) Where a citizen has received a non MHRA approved vaccine, clinical advice from a GP or other appropriate medical expert should be sought to determine the appropriate course of treatment / further vaccinations. Individuals should always consult with their GP or clinician before commencing a different course of treatment.

The vaccines currently approved by the MHRA are Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen (single dose vaccine). If travellers from outwith the UK and the EU have received a different vaccine, they will be required to show a record of a native test for the purposes of gaining access to such venues included in the scheme. Further information is available here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/

5) Vaccinations delivered in Scotland are routinely recorded within the National Clinical Data Store.

6) The procedure to update your vaccination record can be found at Request an update to your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination record | The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (nhsinform.scot)

About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.