Skip to content
Home > Your Health > General Vaccinations

General Vaccinations

The way vaccination is delivered has changed. The new GP contract means that GP’s no longer deliver any vaccinations (both children and adults) and the responsibility for this has transferred to health boards.

Childhood Vaccinations

Our childhood teams deliver all our vaccinations to children 0-6, primary and secondary school children. This covers the age range of 0-18 years. Babies and children age 0-6 will be appointed and you as parent or carer will receive an appointment through the post to attend your local community clinic for your child’s vaccination. The appointment letter will also provide you with a telephone number to reschedule your appointment if required.

Primary and Secondary school children will be vaccinated in school. Children will be provided with a consent form for you as a parent/carer to sign and the school will send information to you on the Vaccinations taking place. If your child is off sick on the day of vaccination the school’s team will ensure your child is vaccinated if consent is in place. To facilitate this the team will ensure they are included in the future vaccination programme. This may be within the next school term or following school year group depending on the vaccination being given.

If your child is home schooled and has missed out on any vaccinations and you with them to be vaccinated. Then please ask your GP Practice to refer you to the Child Vaccination Team for this. On receipt of the referral the team will be in touch with you to arrange this.

Vaccines for Young People – Q&A with NHS Scotland vaccinator and secondary school pupils (youtube.com)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) 

All young people in S1 will bring a consent form home from school for the HPV vaccine. Signing and returning will protect them against different cancers & genital warts in later life.

NHS Scotland is encouraging parents/carers and their young people to chat about the free vaccines offered, before signing and returning their consent forms to school.

For most young people, the vaccines offered in secondary school are the last routine vaccination they’ll receive.

For more information visit www.nhsinform.scot/chat-sign-protect

MenACWY/Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP)

All young people in S3 will bring a consent form home from school for the MenACWY and Diphtheria, tetanus and polio (DTP) vaccines. Signing and returning will protect them against meningitis, polio & more.

NHS Scotland is encouraging parents/carers and their young people to chat about the free vaccines offered, before signing and returning their consent forms to school.

For most young people, the vaccines offered in secondary school are the last routine vaccination they’ll receive.

For more information visit www.nhsinform.scot/chat-sign-protect

Measles

There’s been an increase in reports of measles cases across the UK. It’s important to be aware of signs and symptoms:

  • Cold-like symptoms
  • Sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light
  • A high temperature
  • A rash on the skin that usually first appears on the head/neck and then spreads to the rest of the body.

While there have been very few recent cases of measles in Scotland, there remains a risk of infection in those who have only received one dose, or no doses, of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Having two doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to be fully protected against measles.

Measles can be very unpleasant and can affect people of any age if they have not been vaccinated. It can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).

The MMR vaccine protects against measles with the first dose offered to children between 12-13 months, and the second dose offered at 3 years 4 months. If it’s missed at these times, it can be given at any age. We are encouraging anyone who hasn’t had two doses of the free MMR vaccine, as well as parents and carers of children who have missed a dose, to visit the NHS Inform website to find out how to arrange an appointment in their local health board area.  

Further information on measles and the MMR vaccine can be found on NHS Inform: Measles | NHS inform and MMR against measles | NHS inform.

If your child is home schooled and has missed out on any vaccinations and you with them to be vaccinated. Then please ask your GP Practice to refer you to the Child Vaccination Team for this. On receipt of the referral the team will be in touch with you to arrange this.

Adult Vaccinations

Pneumococcal

The pneumococcal vaccine is the best way to help protect yourself against the diseases and conditions caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These conditions include: one of the most common types of meningitis, severe ear infections and pneumonia.

Those aged 65 or over or under 65 and have certain health conditions have a higher chance of becoming unwell with pneumococcal infection.

Therefore, we strongly encourage those eligible to take up the vaccination offer when it comes.

For more information about the pneumococcal vaccine and the diseases and conditions it protects against visit www.nhsinform.scot/pneumococcalvaccine

Shingles

From 1st September 2023 the following groups became eligible for a free Shingles vaccination in Scotland:

  • People aged 50 or over, about to start immunosuppressive therapy.
  • People aged 50 or over, with a severely weakened immune system.
  • People aged 71 – 79 who have not previously been vaccinated.
  • People aged 18 or over who have received a stem cell transplant.
  • People aged 18 or over who have had CAR-T therapy.
  • People who were aged 65 or 70 on 1st September.

If you’re unsure if you’re eligible, you can use the age eligibility calculator on www.nhsinform.scot/shingles to confirm.

In time, the offer will expand to those turning both 60 and 65 years old with the vaccine will be routinely offered to everyone aged 60 and over.

If you are currently aged 66 to 69 years, you won’t be eligible for the vaccine until you turn 70.
People aged 66 – 69 on 1st September 2023 became eligible for vaccination from 1st September after their 70th birthday.

Rationale

It is recognised that some people may be disappointed that they are not yet included in the age group to be offered a shingles vaccine this year.

When any vaccination programme is introduced or extended, recommendations are made about who will be offered the vaccine and when they will be invited to come forward. These decisions are based on a combination of factors including the risk of the disease and the effectiveness of the vaccine in different age groups.

This phased approach is based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and to ensure that NHS Scotland can deliver the programme effectively alongside other immunisation programmes.

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.

Immunisation (vaccination) information in other languages and formats

I have turned 65yrs already or you are aged 66-69 years – Why am I not eligible for the vaccine this year?

If you turned 65 years before 31st August 2023 you will be called when you turn age 70 years.  As the lowering of the age range is a new development in the programme all Health Boards across Scotland follow the Guidance issued by the Joint Committee on Immunisation and decisions are based on a combination of factors including the risk of disease and the effectiveness of the vaccine in different age groups.

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.

How do I get the shingles vaccine?

You’ll be contacted by your local health board when you’re eligible to be immunised. You can get the vaccine at any time of the year.

Find out how to contact your health board regarding your vaccination appointment

Can the shingles vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?

Speak to a healthcare professional about getting other vaccines at the same time. They’ll advise what’s best for you.

What are the side effects of this vaccine?

Side effects are usually quite mild and don’t last very long.

Around the injection site you might experience:

  • Pain
  • Redness
  • Swelling.

You may also experience:

  • Muscle pain
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
  • Chills
  • A fever
  • A general unwell feeling
  • A headache
  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Stomach pain.

Non-urgent advice

Contact your GP practice if you have side effects that last for more than a few days.

Pregnant Women

During pregnancy women are offered seasonal flu vaccine (Sept to March) together with Pertussis Vaccine at 16 weeks of pregnancy (Whooping Cough). This is delivered to all pregnant women through Maternity Services. If you think you may have missed this then please speak to your Midwife.

Mpox

More information on how you can catch Monkeypox and the symptoms of Monkeypox can be found on NHS Inform:

Mpox (monkeypox) | NHS inform 

Mpox Information (sandyford.scot)

All Other Vaccines

During Adult life sometimes we require other vaccines or repeated courses of vaccines if you have undergone or are about to undergo a transplant, chemotherapy or have been exposed to a blood borne virus or had a dog or human bite. These Vaccinations will be arranged via your Consultant or GP. You may also require a vaccine as you missed some vaccines during childhood. Your GP or Consultant will refer you for any vaccinations required. The Vaccination Service will arrange for the vaccines required and contact you with an appointment. We will do this on receipt of your referral. Those about to or undergoing treatment or who have been exposed to a blood borne virus will be prioritised over routine referrals. You do not need to do anything to receive your vaccination our contact centre will be in touch with an appointment.