The Impact of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme on Vaccine Transformation

14:00 – 15:15

The Vaccination Transformation Programme (VTP) began on 1 April 2018 with an agreed transition period of four years. The arrival of the (COVID -19) pandemic in the midst of the VTP interrupted this transition, as NHS boards were faced with the largest immunisation effort in NHS history.

The reliance on vaccines to enable society to emerge from the pandemic, and with supply initially being a major constraining factor, this meant that the programme was under immense public and parliamentary scrutiny.             

This session will provide an overview of the vaccines landscape and the VTP, as well a focus on the COVID vaccine delivery programme and lessons learned.

Delegates attending this session will also hear more about the challenges of responding to surge capacity, the impact on the vaccination workforce, and the delivery model which was developed to reach underserved populations.

The session will also outline a vision for the future vaccination service known as the Scottish Vaccination and Immunisation Programme (SVIP) which aims to learn from the COVID vaccination programme and provide a world class, person-centred vaccination service which is embedded in the broader public health landscape.

Julie McCarron

Vaccine Improvement Unit, Scottish Government


Julie McCarron is currently on secondment from COSLA, working in vaccine policy and strategy for Scottish Government.

Stephen Gallagher

Director of Vaccine Strategy & Policy, Scottish Government


Stephen has worked within the Senior Civil Service (SCS) for 10 years. His background is in NHS operational delivery and his achievements include the delivery of national outpatient and cancer waiting times and continuous improvement to NHS Boards.

Karen Duffy

Director of Delivery, Scottish Government


Karen Duffy, as Delivery Director has led the Covid Vaccination Delivery Programme, across NHS Scotland since December 2020.

Lynne Hamilton

Public Health Programme Director, NHS Tayside


Lynne Hamilton is the Public Health Programme Director at NHS Tayside.

Kerry McKenzie

Head of Service, Public Health Scotland


Kerry has over 20 years’ experience leading and delivering health improvement programmes at both national and local levels in NHS and local authority across a wide range of public health policy areas in complex systems.