COVID Inquiries Engagement Group (CIREG) minutes: September 2026

Welcome and purpose

The Chair welcomed CIREG members and passed on apologies from the Deputy First Minister who was unable to attend due to diary commitments, and thanks to CIREG members for their continued work. The purpose of the meeting was to hear members’ reflections on the draft response, to inform the final response.

Summary of key points

The Chair invited general observations on the draft response before looking at individual recommendations. The response was welcomed overall while observing that it could go further, with a plea for more recognition of distinct groups (for example older people) so that they do not get lost.

Discussion theme - Recommendation 2 – Formalise work with communities about vaccine equity strategies

The need to ensure that no individual groups are overlooked in a population-wide programme was noted and Age Scotland were invited to contribute to the SVIP Programme Board. The value of strong community networks in supporting vaccine uptake and addressing barriers to access was highlighted, and members were invited to suggest any groups who would have contributions to make.

Members stressed the need for greater recognition of the specific needs of people with learning disabilities, noting concerns about longstanding health inequalities, the lack of a dedicated strategy, and the impact of gaps in data collection. The importance of ensuring that a lack of data does not become a barrier to action was emphasised.

Members would like assurance regarding how marginalised and vulnerable and will be identified and reached, including where existing health records may be incomplete. Members also highlighted the importance of addressing misinformation within communities through collaboration with third-sector organisations.

Action: Arrange follow up discussion between officials and Inclusion Scotland on plan for learning-disabled people.

Action: Ensure wording of the response provides assurance for members

Action: Arrange follow up discussion between officials and Scottish Covid Bereaved to provide more detail on SVIP board action plan

Action: Arrange follow up discussion with Age Scotland on Recommendation 2

Discussion theme - Recommendation 3 – Improve monitoring and evaluation of vaccine uptake and delivery

Members welcomed the focus on improving vaccination data and uptake monitoring, noting that lessons learned from the pandemic have already informed current planning and delivery arrangements.

The importance of addressing both general and community-specific vaccine hesitancy was highlighted. Members stressed the value of working with trusted community leaders and organisations to build confidence in vaccination programmes.

The lengthy timescales associated with aspects of this work were noted, and members invited to identify any priority issues which should be accelerated.

Action: Officials to follow up with Scottish Covid Bereaved on any specific issues which should be accelerated.

Discussion theme - Recommendation 4 – Proportionate access to linked healthcare records for use in the assessment of safety signals

Maintaining public confidence in the collection, use and protection of health data was identified as critical. Members stressed that any approach must be underpinned by strong governance arrangements, compliance with data protection requirements and protection of patient confidentiality.

Scotland has well-developed linked medicine data in primary and secondary care and is committed to working with MHRA on how to expand this, which will require investment.

Members discussed the importance of public trust in healthcare data systems, noting that concerns regarding data sharing and privacy may discourage participation, particularly among groups who already experience barriers to engagement with public services. The response should reinforce the commitment to the use of robust safeguards and anonymised data where appropriate.

Discussion theme - Recommendation 1 - Establish a pharmaceutical expert advisory panel and Recommendation 5 - Reform of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme

Recommendation 1

Members welcomed the Scottish Government's support for closer collaboration across governments, academia and the life sciences sector in preparing for future public health emergencies. The response could place greater emphasis on Scotland's research and academic expertise and the contribution it can make to UK-wide arrangements.

Recommendation 5