Question
Untitled item
S6W-04339 · Written Question · lodged by Burnett, Alexander
Lodged on
09 Nov 2021Heard / answered on
24 Dec 2021To ask the Scottish Government by what date the phone number provided on the COVID-19 passport exemption form will be live, so that disabled people who are unable to have a COVID-19 vaccine can request an exemption certificate.
The answer
Vaccination is the best way to keep you, your friends, family, and community safe and we encourage everyone to consider getting the vaccine.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice changed on 15 November 2021. In the vast majority of cases a successful route to safe vaccination can now be found, a disability would not necessarily mean that an individual cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
It is exceptionally rare to withhold vaccination, however, if vaccination is not straightforward support is available to help people achieve the benefits of protection from the Covid-19 vaccines. Local vaccination centres can help answer questions about the vaccine and can advise what arrangements may be put in place to enable safe vaccination.
In the rare cases where that support is provided and does not lead to vaccination then this will result in the person being identified as either able to safely receive the vaccine but decides not to do so and in this circumstance they will not be eligible for a medical exemption certificate; or they will be identified as clinically unable to safely receive the vaccine and in which case they will receive a secure paper exemption certificate in the post. All vaccine status certificates, including medical exemptions certificates, are time limited.
Further information on COVID-19 Status Certificates and about medical exemptions from them is available from NHS Inform , the COVID Status Helpline on 0808 196 8565 , or local vaccination centres.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice changed on 15 November 2021. In the vast majority of cases a successful route to safe vaccination can now be found, a disability would not necessarily mean that an individual cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
It is exceptionally rare to withhold vaccination, however, if vaccination is not straightforward support is available to help people achieve the benefits of protection from the Covid-19 vaccines. Local vaccination centres can help answer questions about the vaccine and can advise what arrangements may be put in place to enable safe vaccination.
In the rare cases where that support is provided and does not lead to vaccination then this will result in the person being identified as either able to safely receive the vaccine but decides not to do so and in this circumstance they will not be eligible for a medical exemption certificate; or they will be identified as clinically unable to safely receive the vaccine and in which case they will receive a secure paper exemption certificate in the post. All vaccine status certificates, including medical exemptions certificates, are time limited.
Further information on COVID-19 Status Certificates and about medical exemptions from them is available from NHS Inform , the COVID Status Helpline on 0808 196 8565 , or local vaccination centres.
Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 Dec 2021.