Cost of Covid-19 vaccine and flu vaccine: FOI release

Information requested

1) How much does each convid19 vaccine cost to administrate each dose.

2) How much dies each pharmaceutical company charge for each vial of convid19 vaccine.

3) At present How much has Scottish government spent on administrating convid19 vaccines.

And same questions for flu:
4) How much does each flu vaccine cost to administrate each dose.

5) How much dies each pharmaceutical company charge for each vial of flu vaccine.

6) At present How much has Scottish government spent on administrating flu vaccines.

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested.

Regarding questions 1 and 4, the vaccination programme including Covid-19 and influenza, is administered by Health Boards and GP practices. NHS Health Board costs across Scotland will vary depending on their actual location, cost structures, and local delivery mechanisms. The Scottish Government is conscious of demonstrating value for the public pound. Further details for the various Health Boards across Scotland can be found here: Organisations – Scotland's Health on the Web.

Regarding questions 2 and 5. The Department of Health holds contracts with pharmaceutical companies for the procurement of vaccines on behalf of the 4 UK countries. Under the terms of these contracts, the costs of vaccine procured are commercially confidential, including the unit price. While this payment is only for a portion of the vaccine procured, the full cost may be revealed over the course of a year giving the potential for the unit cost to be derived if volume data is in the public domain.

As per our response on FOI case 202100259483, while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because an exemption under Section 33(1)(a)(ii) (commercial interests) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below.

All information relating to the unit price of vaccines or the availability of vaccine at Health Board, Scotland or UK level is considered commercially sensitive, under the terms of the specific contract conditions in place with suppliers. Under Section 33 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) information may be withheld if: section 1(a)(ii) disclosure would (or would be likely to) prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person or organisation.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, we have considered whether or not the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, however, there is a greater public interest in ensuring that the affected party is able to maintain its ability to conduct private and sensitive commercial activity.

Regarding questions 3 and 6, the administration costs of delivering the Covid and influenza vaccine programmes are included in the larger budget delivered to Health Boards in Scotland. NHS Health Board administration costs across Scotland will vary depending on their actual location, cost structures, and local delivery mechanisms. Further details for the various Health Boards across Scotland can be found here: Organisations – Scotland's Health on the Web

The section of the current Scottish Government budget for 2021/2022 that covers Health and Sport is available here: Scottish Budget 2021 to 2022 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

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The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.