Winter Vaccination Programme 2021
The Edinburgh Winter Vaccination campaign ran from the end of September 2021, with the intense period of delivery lasting until the end of January 2022. Significant progress was also made towards transforming it into a year-round programme.
The initial Edinburgh target population for the Winter Vaccination campaign was 259,820, with the flu uptake target set at 90% for over 65s and 80% for the 50-64 cohort and ‘at risk’ groups. This resulted in an initial expected uptake of 202,515.
However, the continued growth of the programme for the COVID-19 booster/third dose saw more and more cohorts being invited to receive their vaccination. Pop-up vaccination centres having already emerged across Edinburgh and the Lothians, the opening of the Royal Highland Centre (RHC) and the re-opening of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) as a vaccination site in December significantly increased capacity in the system; the RHC alone was able to deliver up to 20,000 vaccinations per week. This increased demand, and the subsequent de-prioritisation of flu vaccination, resulted in the total number of vaccinations administered by the end of January differing hugely from the original target. A total of 504,415 vaccinations were administered at Edinburgh sites in four months; approximately 90% of Edinburgh residents aged 60 years+ took the COVID-19 vaccination, and around 85% of residents aged 70 years+ received the flu vaccination. Vaccinations were also provided across 14 smaller local access clinics at weekends, and first dose COVID-19 vaccinations for 5 – 11 year olds were delivered across the city, at separate venues from the adult campaign.
After the pre-Christmas surge, early 2022 saw a deceleration of the vaccination campaign. By March the programme moved towards a focus on smaller sites; as restrictions lifted, the closure of mass vaccination centres enabled commercial businesses like the EICC to return to business as usual.
The vaccination programme will continue in a business-as-usual capacity; mass vaccination centres have closed, but a workforce of 40 WTE HSCP staff has been recruited to continue the delivery of vaccinations which were previously administered by medical practices. A staff training programme has begun, with support from NHS Lothian Education team, for vaccinators to support Community Treatment and Care (CTAC) services across the city. During periods of reduced demand outwith the spring and winter programmes, registered nurses will also undertake tasks such as phlebotomy and wound management.
Case Study: David, Volunteer Vaccinator
‘When I saw the job in March 2021 looking for people to join the vaccinator programme, I thought “I could never do that”. I still applied, wanting to do something to give back. I was really surprised to get an interview. Even more so to be accepted onto the first cohort of new recruits to train as a vaccinator.
I didn’t have a clue what I was doing there and thought there was no chance I’d pass the probation and training. But the training was so good, and everyone (trainers, clinicians, colleagues) was incredibly supportive. I was hooked. Learning all about how to vaccinate. Learning about exactly what’s in the vaccine. Understanding how disease works in the body, and the innovations of the last few decades that have got us to where we are now in vaccine development. It was all new to me and incredibly fascinating.
In May, I found out that I had passed. I felt accomplished and really proud of what we all had achieved. By the time I first put a needle in someone’s arm, it didn’t feel weird. I remember thinking ‘I’m meant to be here. This is what I should be doing’’.