Vaccine Exemptions - FOI Response Register

It states on the NHS INFORM website under the heading ‘Vaccine exemptions’ “An exemption scheme was in place to help people who were unable to be vaccinated while the domestic COVID Status certification scheme was in use.”

1. Please could you outline the exemption scheme application process put in place while the domestic COVID Status certification scheme was in use?   

In accordance with FOISA s 17(1), NHS Shetland confirms that it does not hold the information requested as this scheme was operated at a national level and not by NHS Shetland.

As this was a national scheme the Scottish Government, or NSS, or NHS Inform are likely to hold this information. An FOI to each of them can be submitted at the following email addresses:

Scottish government     ceu@gov.scot

NSS                                  nss.foi@nhs.scot

NHS Inform                     foi@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk

2. Were Vaccination Centre staff informed of the vaccine exemption scheme application process so they were able to inform potential applicants of the steps involved?

Vaccination centre staff can answer questions about vaccination and advise if there are adjustments that could be made to allow people to be vaccinated safely (eg in a clinical setting, or a quieter setting). If this was not possible then they could be signposted to NHS Inform or the helpline.

3. How were Vaccine Exemption Certificates issued?

See response to Q1.