Your health

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is introducing a new way to support adults with their vaccination decisions this summer through its first-ever ‘drop-in and chat’ clinics.

These informal sessions are designed to give people the chance to speak directly with Immunisation Nurses, whether they have questions about eligibility, underlying health conditions, or are supporting someone with additional needs.

Dr Iain Kennedy, NHSGGC Consultant for Public Health Medicine, said:
“We’ve always encouraged people to ask questions at their appointments, and we’re proud to now offer a dedicated space for those conversations. These sessions are about creating a safe, supportive environment where people can get the information they need to feel confident about their vaccinations.”

The adult vaccination programme includes protection against Covid-19, flu, shingles, pneumococcal disease, and RSV. Eligible individuals will continue to receive invitations via letter, email, or text to attend appointments at one of 18 community clinics across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

The ‘drop-in and chat’ sessions will run throughout July and August 2025 at the following locations:

• The Piazza, Paisley
• Whiteinch Community Centre
• Stobhill Adult Vaccination Clinic

These sessions will run alongside shingles and pneumococcal drop-in vaccination clinics, meaning eligible attendees may also receive their vaccine on the day. No appointment needed.

The shingles vaccine is available to:

• Adults aged 71–79 as of 1 September 2023
• Adults 50+ with a severely weakened immune system or starting immunosuppressive therapy
• Adults 18+ who’ve had a stem cell transplant or CAR-T therapy in the past two years

Shingles, caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, can lead to serious complications in older adults. The vaccine is given in two doses and offers over 70% protection.

The Pneumococcal vaccine is available to:

• All adults aged 65 and over
• Those with severely weakened immune systems or undergoing immunosuppressive therapy

Pneumococcal disease can cause life-threatening illnesses such as meningitis, sepsis, and pneumonia.

Eligible adults will be contacted directly with appointment details, or they can attend the following drop-in sessions. For full information on NHSGGC’s adult vaccination programme, visit:  https://www.nhsggc.scot/your-health/general-vaccinations/

Shingles and pneumococcal drop-in vaccination clinics and ‘drop-in and chat’ sessions will be available at the following locations:

18/07/2025 – Friday – 09:00-19:30 – Piazza, 15 Central Rd, Paisley PA1 1EL
25/07/2025 – Friday09:00-19:30 – Piazza, 15 Central Rd, Paisley PA1 1EL
12/08/2025 – Tuesday – 09:00-19:30 – Whiteinch Community Centre, 1 Northinch Court, Glasgow G14 0UG
15/08/2025 – Friday – 09:00-19:30 – Piazza, 15 Central Rd, Paisley PA1 1EL
19/08/2025 – Tuesday – 09:00-19:30 – Whiteinch Community Centre, 1 Northinch Court, Glasgow G14 0UG
22/08/2025 – Friday – 09:00-19:30 – Piazza, 15 Central Rd, Paisley PA1 1EL
25/08/2025 – Monday – 09:00-19:30 – Stobhill Adult vaccination, 133 Balornock Rd, Glasgow G21 3UW
25/08/2025 – Monday – 09:00-19:30 – GESH Community Centre, 1 Redcastle Sq, Glasgow G33 5EG
29/08/2025 – Friday – 09:00-19:30 – Piazza, 15 Central Rd, Paisley PA1 1EL

Overview

The pneumococcal vaccine provides some protection against illnesses caused by pneumococcal bacteria.

What are pneumococcal bacteria?

Pneumococcal bacteria cause pneumococcal infection. They can cause serious illnesses like pneumonia and bacterial meningitis. They can also cause other conditions like severe ear infections.

Some adults carry pneumococcal bacteria in the back of their nose and throat. They can pass bacteria on by coughing, sneezing, and close contact.

Exposure to pneumococcal bacteria doesn’t normally result in serious illness. But, sometimes it leads to pneumococcal infections.

You have a higher chance of becoming unwell with a pneumococcal infection if:

• you’re aged 65 or over
• you’re under 65 and have certain health conditions

People aged 65 or over are more likely to suffer serious long-term health problems from pneumococcal infection. These health problems can lead to death.

What is pneumococcal disease and why do we need a vaccine?

Dr Andrew Prendergast explains why it’s important to vaccinate against pneumococcal disease.

Why should I be vaccinated?

The pneumococcal vaccine provides some protection against the serious conditions caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These conditions include:

• one of the most common types of meningitis
• severe ear infections
• pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria

This vaccine doesn’t protect against meningitis or pneumonia caused by other bacteria or viruses.

Who is eligible for the vaccine?

The pneumococcal vaccine is available in Scotland for all people aged 65 and over.

Some people under 65 are also eligible for the vaccine if they have certain health conditions, or are at high risk of exposure because of their job. You may be at risk if you have:

Asplenia or problems with the spleen

This includes conditions that can lead to problems with the spleen, like homozygous sickle cell disease or coeliac syndrome.

Read more about vaccinations for those with problems with their spleen (asplenia)

Chronic respiratory disease

This includes:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• chronic bronchitis
• emphysema
• bronchiectasis
• cystic fibrosis
• interstitial lung fibrosis
• pneumoconiosis
• bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• asthma, if it’s so severe that you need constant or repeated use of systemic steroids

Chronic heart disease

This includes conditions like:

• ischaemic heart disease
• congenital heart disease
• hypertension  with cardiac complications
• chronic heart failure

Chronic liver disease

This can include:

• cirrhosis
• biliary atresia
• chronic hepatitis

Chronic kidney disease

This can include:

• nephrotic syndrome
• chronic kidney disease  at stages 4 and 5
• those on kidney dialysis
• those who’ve had a kidney transplant

Diabetes

If you’ve diabetes and use insulin or anti-diabetic medication, you’re eligible for extra pneumococcal vaccinations.

If your diabetes is controlled by diet and you’re under 65 years old, you’re not eligible for extra pneumococcal vaccination.

If you’re over 65 years old, you’re eligible for your pneumococcal vaccination regardless of how your diabetes is controlled.

Immunosuppression

People who are immunosuppressed may be offered extra pneumococcal vaccines. These people include patients who:

• are having chemotherapy
• have had a bone marrow transplant
• have asplenia or problems with their spleen
• have complement disorder
• have HIV infection (at any stage)
• have multiple myeloma
• have a genetic disorder that affects the immune system, like IRAK-4 or NEMO
• are on or are likely to be on a high dose of systemic steroids for more than a month

Cochlear implants

Individuals with cochlear implants are eligible for extra pneumococcal vaccinations

Cerebrospinal fluid leak

If you have leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from trauma or major skull surgery, you may be eligible for extra pneumococcal vaccinations.

This does not include leakage from CSF shunts, which deliberately drain excess fluid from the brain to another part of the body.

Occupational risk

Research has found a link between exposure to metal fumes and pneumonia.

If your job involves frequent or constant exposure to metal fumes, you may be considered at risk. This would make you eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine. An example of an at risk occupation would be a welder.

How do I get my pneumococcal vaccination?

You do not need to arrange your appointment. You’ll be contacted by your local NHS immunisation team when you’re eligible to be immunised.  They’ll tell you:

• the date and time of your appointment
• where your appointment will be

They’ll contact you by sending an invitation to your home address. This is the address that is registered with your GP.

You can be invited for the vaccine at any time of the year.

Who is eligible for the shingles vaccine?

Your local NHS immunisation team will contact you when you’re eligible to get the vaccine. This will be from January 2024 onwards. Please wait to be contacted. Eligibility for the shingles vaccine depends on what age you were on 1 September 2023.

If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, you can use the age eligibility calculator to check.

Why should I have the shingles vaccine?

Shingles can be very painful and is more common among older people. The older you are, the worse it can be. For some, the pain caused by shingles can last for many years.

People who have a severely weakened immune system are also at higher risk of getting shingles and experiencing further complications from it.

Every year in Scotland, around 400 people aged 70 and over will be hospitalised due to shingles and related complications. 

The shingles vaccine helps to build up your immunity to the virus. This means, if you do get shingles, your body will fight it off more easily.

Getting the vaccine will:

• reduce your risk of developing shingles by over 70%
• reduce your risk of experiencing long-term pain from shingles
• reduce your risk of being hospitalised with complications from shingles

What is shingles?

Shingles is caused by a virus called varicella zoster. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. When you recover from chickenpox most of this virus is destroyed, but some of the virus survives and lies inactive in your body’s nervous system.

The virus can then become active again later in life. This normally happens when your immune system has been weakened by:

• age
• stress
• illness
• certain treatments that can reduce your immunity

The shingles vaccine helps to protect you by boosting your immunity.

More about the symptoms of shingles

Do I need the shingles vaccine if I’ve never had chickenpox?

Yes. The chances are that you may have had chickenpox at some point without knowing it. Some people have chickenpox without displaying any of the typical chickenpox symptoms.

Do I need the shingles vaccine if I’ve had shingles before?

Yes. Even if you’ve already had shingles, you should still get it again. The vaccine will reduce your risk of getting shingles again.

What vaccine will be offered?

From September 2023, the Shingrix vaccine will be used in Scotland.

You can view the vaccine ingredients in the Shingrix patient information leaflet.

Are there any reasons I shouldn’t have the shingles vaccine?

You shouldn’t have the shingles vaccine if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to:

• any of the ingredients in the vaccine
• a previous dose of the chickenpox vaccine

Is the shingles vaccine a live vaccine?

No, the shingles vaccine is not a live vaccine. It cannot cause shingles.

How many doses of the vaccine do I need?

You need to have 2 doses of the shingles vaccine for it to be effective.

You’ll be offered your second dose 2 to 12 months after your first dose.

How do we know the vaccine is safe?

The shingles vaccination programme was introduced in Scotland in 2013.

All medicines (including vaccines) are tested for safety and effectiveness. The vaccine meets the high safety standards required for it to be used in the UK and other European countries. The vaccine has been given to millions of people worldwide.

Once they’re in use, the safety of vaccines continues to be monitored.

Read more about how we know vaccines are safe

We’re interested in hearing from:

• people who are eligible for the RSV vaccine (regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not).
  • The patient survey can be accessed at: https://surveys.publichealthscotland.scot/126716

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine helps to protect people from RSV.

RSV is a common respiratory (lungs and airways) illness. RSV infection is more common from late autumn to early spring, but can happen at any time of year.

Sometimes, RSV infection can cause severe lower respiratory infections like pneumonia. It can also cause other life-threatening conditions.

Last year in Scotland, there were over 1,000 RSV cases in adults aged 75 and over.

The vaccine helps protect you by reducing your chances of getting an RSV infection.

Who can get the RSV vaccine

If you’re turning 75 years old between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025, you’ll be offered the RSV vaccine. This includes if your 75th birthday is on 1 August 2024 or 31 July 2025.

The vaccine will also be offered to anyone who is aged 75 to 79 years on 1 August 2024. This means you can get the vaccine if your date of birth is between 2 August 1944 and 31 July 1950. This is because the RSV vaccine is new to Scotland, and this group could not be given the vaccine before now.

In future years, the vaccine will be routinely offered to those turning 75 years old between 1 August and 31 July.

Getting the RSV vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against infections caused by RSV.

About the RSV vaccine

The Abrysvo vaccine is offered to protect against RSV in Scotland. It’s usually given as an injection in your upper arm.

You may be able to get the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines (like shingles or pneumococcal). You can discuss this with the person giving you the vaccine. Because RSV infections often happen earlier in the year, this vaccine will be offered in August and September. You’ll be offered a different appointment later in the year to get your flu vaccine.

The Abrysvo vaccine is not a live vaccine. It does not cause RSV infection.

Read more about vaccines for older adults

There are very few people who cannot have the RSV vaccine.

The vaccine should not be given to people who have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to:

• ny of the vaccine ingredients
• a previous dose of the same vaccine

You can view the ingredients in the Abrysvo vaccine patient information leaflet.

It’s important to tell the person giving you the vaccine if you:

• have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to anything
• are receiving medicines, treatment or therapy at a hospital or specialist clinic

How to get the RSV vaccine

You’ll be contacted by your local NHS immunisation team when it’s time to get the vaccine. Most immunisation teams will begin inviting patients from August 2024 onwards.

If you’re ill on the day of your appointment

Reschedule your vaccine appointment if you feel very unwell, for example if you have a fever, vomiting or diarrhoea. You should not attend an appointment if you think you might be infectious to others.

To reschedule your appointment, phone the number on your invitation letter. If you’ve lost your invitation letter, contact your local NHS immunisation team.

Side effects of the RSV vaccine

After having the vaccine you may have some side effects. These are usually mild and disappear within a few days.

Around the injection site you might experience:

• pain
• redness
• swelling

Where can I report side effects?

You can report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card Scheme.

This can be done:

• via their website
• through the Yellow Card Scheme app
• by phoning 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)

Flu vaccine

Influenza (flu) is an infectious virus and can be serious. Symptoms may include a fever, a cough, a headache and tiredness. The virus spreads through the air when people cough or sneeze, or when they touch surfaces where the virus has landed then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. You can catch flu all year round, but it’s especially common in winter. It can be serious, even if you’re healthy.

The flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to help protect against flu. It’ll also help reduce the risk of spreading flu to others.

The flu vaccine is available between September and March.

Why should I get vaccinated?

The flu vaccine has a good safety record. It gives the best protection against flu. It’s offered every year for free by the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu and its complications.

The vaccine helps protect against the main types of flu viruses. But there’s still a chance you might get flu after having the vaccine. If you do get flu, it’s likely to be milder and not last as long if you’ve received the flu vaccine.

Having the flu vaccine can also stop you spreading flu to other people who may be more at risk of complications and serious illness if they catch flu.

You have to get immunised every year because flu viruses change constantly and your immunity reduces over time.

The flu vaccine can’t give you flu, but it can stop you catching it.

Vaccine safety

All medicines (including vaccines) are tested for safety and effectiveness before they’re allowed to be used.

Once they’re in use, the safety of vaccines continues to be monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Please speak to the person you are visiting, and the ward staff, about the best times for you to visit.

In most circumstances we ask that there are no more than 2 visitors at a time (these visitors can change). This is to help make the environment as restful as possible, and to minimise the risk of infection. There may be times when it would be appropriate for more than 2 people to visit at a time. The nurse in charge will be happy to discuss this with you.

Yes. If possible, we ask that one family member is identified to be the key hospital contact who takes responsibility to share information with other family and friends, as appropriate.

Please note, there is a limit to what information we can give over the phone, and who we can give this information to.

• Please use the hand sanitizing gel provided when coming into and leaving the ward.
• Please do not visit if you are unwell. For example, if you have cold or flu, vomiting or diarrhoea, or an upset stomach.
• Please use the toilets for the public, and not those designated for patients or staff, where you can. 
• Visiting may take place at a bedside or communal area. In all instances chairs provided for visiting should be used. If visiting at a bedside, you should avoid sitting on the bed as this can spread infection.
• If your relative/friend is being isolated, or if the ward is temporarily closed, please follow the advice provided by staff as there may be additional safety measures to follow.

Person Centred Visiting is in place across NHSGGC, including outpatient areas and emergency departments.

Please see the rest of this page for information about Person Centred Visiting.

Where there is a particularly high risk of infection, patients will continue to have visiting arrangements discussed as part of their individual risk assessments. Ward and department staff will be happy to discuss these with you.

If your relative/friend is being isolated, please follow the advice provided by staff, as there may be additional safety measures to follow.

If the ward is temporarily closed, please follow the advice provided by staff, as there may be additional safety measures to follow.

Eating is a social occasion. You are welcome to visit at mealtimes to offer support and encouragement. However, please discuss visiting during mealtimes with the person you are visiting, and the ward staff.

Children are welcome to visit, however children under 18 years of age need to be supervised at all times.

We are offering ‘virtual visiting’ (video calls) for all patients. All wards have iPads specially set up to make video calls. This lets you see and talk to the people who matter to you. If you have your own mobile phone, tablet or laptop we can help you to make video calls using your equipment, if you are not able to do this yourself

For information about visiting someone on a Mental Health Ward, please visit our Person centred visiting in mental health wards information page.

Only one family member or friend, chosen by the patient or their guardian, carer or power of attorney can visit at present.

Visiting arrangements will be organised as flexibly as possible to ensure the safety of patients, family and staff.

There may be situations where staff may have to ask you to step outside the ward temporarily or to leave the ward during your visit. We will always explain when this is necessary. Your support and understanding when this is necessary is appreciated to ensure everyone’s safety and privacy.

The person providing support can be changed if required. Examples of when this may happen include:

• if a person in hospital needs support from a different person for a variety of reasons, or
• if the person who has been providing support becomes unwell, needs a rest or is unable to visit for some other reason.

However, changing the named person multiple times in a day or perhaps daily would not be expected in normal circumstances.

If you are chosen to visit, please contact the ward to arrange a visit in advance. It is important that you do not come to the ward without an appointment – we may need to ask you to leave and come back at another time.

Telephone numbers for wards and departments are listed on each hospital page, or alternatively contact the hospital switchboard.

It is important that we continue to limit the number of people present in the ward at any one time. To help manage this there are maximum numbers of people permitted in a room at any one time to ensure we can all follow physical distancing rules.

We understand in some cases, the family member chosen to visit may need to be accompanied by another person, for example a child visiting a parent or sibling, or a frail elderly person who cannot attend the hospital independently. The presence of this additional person will be facilitated – ward staff will explain how this will be supported.

COVID-19 is still with us and can be transmitted easily. To reduce risks careful attention to infection prevention and control measures around family support still need to be maintained.
There are many vulnerable patients in our hospital wards and in particular, some types of illness and types of treatments where we need to proceed with extreme caution, ensure a risk assessment is undertaken appropriately, and reassessed as and when circumstances change.

If a visit is not possible, we will provide you with an explanation why this is necessary. We will keep this under review where possible and will reassess as circumstances change.

If there is a need to further restrict visiting to a particular ward or area for example due to an outbreak of COVID-19 or rapidly increasing community transmission, essential visits will continue. Further information about essential visits is available on the NHSGGC website.

If you cannot visit in person, please use technology such as social media and phone calls to stay in touch. If the person you want to speak to does not have access to their own phone or tablet, please access our Person Centred Virtual Visiting service.

All wards have iPads specially set up to enable ‘virtual visits’ (video call) allowing patients to see and talk to the people who matter to them using FaceTime, Skype or Zoom.

To help keep everyone safe, we strongly recommend that all visitors undertake voluntary lateral flow testing prior to visiting. It is then recommended you undertake the test twice per week for as long as you are the named visitor.

This is optional – if you do not wish to have a test or are not able to test this will not be an obstacle to a visit.

Information on how to order Lateral Flow Tests is on the Scottish Government’s website.

On your arrival at the ward and every time you visit the ward, staff will check that you are well and ask you some questions about your health to make sure it is safe for you to visit. They will ask you the following questions:

• Are you feeling unwell?
• Do you have new/continuous cough?
• Have you had any sickness or diarrhoea within the last 48 hours?
• Have you noticed a change in your temperature?
• Have you noticed a change in your normal sense of taste or smell?
• Are you self-isolating because you have been in contact with anyone suspected as having, or has tested positive for COVID-19?

You will not be allowed to visit if you do not pass this safety check.

It is essential you do not visit if you have a persistent cough, loss of taste or smell, flu like symptoms or fever.

It’s also important that you do not visit if you have symptoms of other respiratory infections, including: a runny nose, congestion in your nose or lungs, a sore throat, headache, cough, repeated sneezing, breathlessness, wheezing or chest tightness, muscle aches, tiredness, or shortness of breath.

It is important for your safety and for the safety of patients and staff that you do the following:

• Face covering/mask must be worn at all times, unless there is a reason why you cannot.
• Avoid communal gatherings in public areas of the hospital. Take the stairs if possible to avoid congregating in lift lobbies. Your movement around other areas of the hospital must be limited as much as is reasonably possible
• Clean your hands using the hand sanitiser before and after you leave the ward or department and when you touch anything.
• Two metres distance should be maintained from others.
• Self-isolate – You MUST NOT attend if you are unwell, if you are a household contact or have otherwise been informed that you are a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 and have been advised to self-isolate or have to self-isolate for another reason.

Respiratory hygiene also remains important, covering the nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when sneezing, coughing, wiping or blowing the nose. These should be disposed of immediately in the bin and hand washing performed immediately afterwards.

There might be situations where staff will need to ask you to use PPE – such as a face mask, apron, gloves etc. If this is required, the staff will help you to put this on correctly and to dispose of it before you leave.

If you are a family member or carer for the person, you are visiting and helping to support aspects of their care such as supporting nutritional intake at meal times, or other personal care you will be provided with necessary PPE to undertake this activity.

You are able to touch your relative or friend (for example, hold their hand, hug or kiss them) – however, please remember that keeping a 2 metre distance wherever possible will reduce the chances of COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses spreading to you, your relative or friend, other patients, and staff.

Please check with the ward staff first. It may be possible to go a walk to the main communal areas of the hospital or hospital grounds as long as social distancing measures and the wearing of a face covering is adhered to.

Retail outlets and hospital dining facilities are open on all our hospital sites. If using any of these facilities, you must make sure you take all the necessary safety measures required – wear you face mask, maintain a 2 metre social distance, provide your contact details for Trace and Protect, apply hand sanitiser on entry and when leaving the facility etc.

Where possible you should use the toilet facilities provided for members of the public. It is preferred that you do not use patient and staff toilets, unless there is no other option available.

The majority of wards across NHSGGC have a person centred approach to visiting, meaning that patients are able to have:

• Support in hospital from the people who matter to them. This no longer needs to be limited to the same two people visiting, however we may sometimes need to limit the numbers of family members who can visit at any one time, so physical distancing rules can be followed.
• Conversations with staff and family on admission and throughout the hospital stay to discuss who they would like to visit and when.
• Family support at times when patients wish the presence, help and support of the people who matter to them. For example at mealtimes, rehabilitation sessions, discharge planning and during multidisciplinary team conversations.

Due to changes in COVID-19 community prevalence and hospital admissions, there may sometimes be variation to this approach. Updates and changes will be published on this page and also on our Hospital visiting pages as the occur.

The following are examples of where an ‘essential visit’ will be supported for family members: 

• when someone is reaching the end of their life
• if someone has dementia and needs family support
• support for someone with a learning disability
• a family member who has caring responsibilities
• parents of a child in hospital
• support during pregnancy and childbirth, including outpatient appointments, ante-natal and post-natal care
• situations where someone is receiving life-changing information.

This list is not exhaustive. A flexible and compassionate approach will always guide decision making.

Person Centred Virtual Visiting (video calls) is in place to help people maintain contact with their relatives/friends, when in-person visits are not possible. People can see and talk to those who matter to them using NHS Near Me / Attend Anywhere. You can access this on mobile phones, laptops or computers. iPads are available on all wards if you do not have, or are unable to use, your own device.

For more information, please visit our Person Centred Virtual Visiting webpage.

Please do not hesitate to speak to with ward staff if you have any questions. You can find Ward and Department telephone numbers on the NHSGGC website.