Foreword, ownership and acknowledgements

Immunisation is Scotland’s largest and most cost-effective public health intervention, central to improving population health, reducing inequalities, and protecting communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.

This framework provides a clear, nationally aligned structure to support the education, development, and progression of Scotland’s vaccination workforce.

Foreword 

This foreword introduces the Development Framework for Vaccinators and highlights a shared commitment to a skilled, confident and future-ready vaccination workforce for Scotland.

Supporting Scotland’s Vaccination Vision

This key resource supports the implementation of Scotland’s 5-Year Vaccination and Immunisation Framework and Delivery Plan. It clarifies roles, career pathways, and the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required across all levels of practice. It also supports our national priorities of timely and equitable access to vaccines, making every contact count, building a multidisciplinary workforce, and embedding sustainable, system-wide services. By building capacity and capability across the vaccination workforce, and equipping vaccinators with the tools and confidence to deliver inclusive, person-centred care, it supports consistent, high-quality practice, contributes to efforts to reduce inequalities in access and experience, and strengthens preparedness for future vaccination challenges. 

To achieve consistent and sustainable vaccine uptake rates in all communities and populations, we need to have healthcare professionals and vaccinators who are well informed and confident to have conversations about vaccines in all localities, and to lead by example by accepting recommended vaccines for themselves. 

— Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Vaccination and Immunisation Division, Public Health Scotland 

Our Commitment to Workforce Development

From NHS Education for Scotland’s perspective, this framework directly supports our purpose: enabling better rights-based, quality care and outcomes for every person through a skilled, capable, and resilient workforce.

It strengthens capability and resilience, embeds inclusive and flexible education, promotes collaboration and leadership, and drives innovation through reflective practice. By aligning education with Scotland’s public health priorities and NHS values, it empowers vaccinators to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care. 

— Karen Wilson, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions, NHS Education for Scotland 

Ownership and Acknowledgements 

This Development Framework for Vaccinators has been developed through a collaborative, multi-agency approach to support the education, development, and progression of the vaccination workforce across Scotland. 

The development of the framework was led by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) in collaboration with the Scottish Vaccination and Immunisation Programme (SVIP), Public Health Scotland (PHS). It was commissioned and overseen by the SVIP Workforce Engagement & Development Sub-Group and shaped by the National Stakeholder Group comprising representatives from across the health and care system. Their collective expertise, insight, and commitment have ensured that the framework is both nationally aligned and locally relevant. 

We extend our sincere thanks to all members of the National Stakeholder Group for their time, expertise, and dedication. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in a robust, future-ready framework that supports a confident, capable, and compassionate vaccination workforce for Scotland. Outline terms of reference for this group can be found in appendix 1.  

We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the following organisations and professional groups: 

• Practitioners – including those from board vaccination teams', midwifery, health visiting, and the Family Nurse Partnership, whose frontline experience shaped the practical relevance of the Framework. 

• SVIP, Public Health Scotland (PHS) – for providing strategic public health insight and alignment with national immunisation priorities. 

• SVIP, Workforce Engagement & Development Sub-Group – for their operational leadership and expertise in local service delivery. 

• Scottish Government – for policy direction and alignment with national workforce and public health strategies.