Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will hold discussions with the Scottish government on the reasons for which they have decided to provide influenza vaccinations to people aged between 50 and 64.

The Scottish Government is guided by the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). As a devolved power, all final policy decisions are made by the Scottish Government. Scottish Ministers wish to continue to offer an extended Seasonal Flu Immunisation Programme in 2023/24, to provide greater protection and in response to the earlier and more severe flu season experienced last winter. The United Kingdom Government remains in regular dialogue with Devolved Governments regarding public health, and works collaboratively across the UK in the provision of vaccination programmes, as evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic.