Winter Vaccination Programme 2026/27

Flu vaccines will be offered to those eligible from 14th September onwards and COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered from 5th October onwards. It’s strongly recommended you get vaccinated if you’re eligible this winter.

The joint committee on vaccination and immunisation (JCVI) advice is to offer the vaccines to those at high risk of serious illness from flu or COVID-19 and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination.

All those eligible will be invited for vaccination. NHS Scotland will contact you with more information if you’re eligible for the COVID-19 and/or flu vaccines.

Please wait to be contacted about your vaccination. Do not try to make an appointment until you’ve been invited by NHS Scotland.

If you previously chose to be contacted digitally, you’ll receive a text or email with an appointment or prompt. Otherwise, you’ll receive a letter. The letter invites will arrive in the post in white envelopes with clear NHS Scotland branding.

For more information about winter vaccines and who is eligible visit at NHS Inform.

Overview

We expect to offer a Flu and COVID vaccination (where eligible) to the eligible population across Greater Glasgow and Clyde, ranging from school aged children (flu only) to people living in care homes for the elderly.

The way you get your Flu and COVID vaccination will have changed over recent years. No Flu or Covid Vaccinations are delivered in General Practice. Vaccinations are given in a range of different settings:

Drop In Clinics

Drop in Vaccination Clinics

We’re encouraging those eligible to take up the offer of their flu vaccines as soon as possible. Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to protect yourself against serious illness.

If you’re eligible for vaccination and haven’t yet received one, please come along to one of the drop-in clinics below to ensure you’re protected ahead of the festive season:

Community Clinic Drop-ins

TBC

Mobile Vaccination Service

The Scottish Ambulance Mobile Vaccination vehicle is a drop in service. This means that there may be busy times and you may have to wait. The mobile clinic can only accommodate 4 vaccinators and a limited supply of vaccine. Please be patient. You may wish to book an appointment at one of our Vaccination Centres instead.

You can do this by going to the online booking portal or calling the National Contact Centre on 0800 030 8013.

TBC

Winter Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination 2026

COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered to those who are eligible until 31st January 2027.

Flu vaccinations will be offered to those who are eligible until 31st March 2027.

Flu vaccines will be offered to those eligible from 14th September onwards and COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered from 5th October onwards.. It’s strongly recommended you get vaccinated if you’re eligible this winter. Invitations for people who are eligible will start being sent from late August. You may receive your invitation at a different time than previous years. You should attend the appointment you’ve been given, or make or rearrange your appointment as soon as possible.

The postal invites will arrive in white envelopes with clear NHS Scotland branding. People with a digital preference will receive their vaccine appointment or prompt by text and/or email.

Please do not try to make an appointment until you’ve been invited by NHS Scotland.

Who will be offered the flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is offered to adults who are most at risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

Older adults and people with certain health conditions are more at risk of flu-related complications and need extra protection, even if their health condition is mild or well managed.

You’ll be offered the flu vaccine this year if you’re:

Those living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities
All those aged 65 and over
All those aged 18 to 65 years in defined risk groups. This includes:
o those in clinical at-risk groups set out in Influenza: the green book, chapter 19 – GOV.UK
o those experiencing homelessness
o those experiencing substance misuse
o asylum seekers living in Home Office hotel or B&B accommodation
o all prisoners within the Scottish prison estate
o pregnant women
Frontline health and social care workers
All NHS staff
Poultry workers & bird handlers (eligibility information in Annex A)
Cattle & Swine workers (eligibility information in Annex B)
Unpaid carers and young carers
Household contacts of those with immunosuppression

Who will be offered the COVID-19 Vaccine

Eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the advice and recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

This is informed by robust evidence of which groups are at risk of severe disease, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19.

Vaccination will be offered to those at high risk of serious illness from COVID-19. These groups include:

a adults aged 75 years and over (age on 31/03/2026)
living in a care home for older adults
are aged 6 months or over and have a weakened immune system (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book)

Read more winter vaccines Winter vaccines | NHS inform and COVID-19 vaccine information The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine | NHS inform from NHS inform

When will I be invited?

Please wait to be contacted about your vaccination – do not try to make an appointment until you’ve been invited by NHS Scotland.

Children and Young People

The vaccine will be offered to all school-aged pupils, all children aged 2-5 not yet in school and children aged 6 months to 2 years old with a condition that puts them at increased risk of flu. Home-educated young people and young people not attending mainstream education are also eligible.

The flu vaccine is offered as a painless nasal spray to almost all children. It cannot give the child flu but starts to provide protection against flu within 10-14 days. The nasal spray offers the best possible protection for children and young people and can also stop flu spreading to family, friends and others, especially those most at risk of becoming seriously ill with flu. Children aged 2 to 5 are being offered vaccination from September to ensure they receive the earliest protection and prevent the virus spreading.

Those eligible for the childhood and school flu vaccination programme include:

All children aged from 6 months to 18 years in clinical risk groups (if not eligible in accordance with bullets below)
All children aged 2-5 years not yet at school (age as of 01/09/2026)
All primary school children (primary one to primary seven)
All secondary school pupils (S1 to S6)

Winter Vaccines Leaflets
NHS Inform

Winter Vaccines Leaflets
(British Sign Language)

Winter Vaccines Leaflets
(In other languages)

Your Appointment

About your Autumn/Winter Vaccination Appointment

Where eligible Flu and COVID-19 vaccination will be given at the same appointment.
Appointments will be available right the way through to December, ensuring all those eligible are protected before flu and COVID-19 viruses are most likely to be circulating.
Most adults who are eligible for one or both vaccines will have already been contacted by NHS Scotland. Depending on communication preferences, this will have been by letter, email or text. Please attend the appointment you’ve been given, or make or rearrange your appointment as soon as possible.
More information is available on Winter vaccines | NHS inform including a self-help guide that helps citizens to find out about the vaccines you may be eligible for, and how you’ll be offered them.

How do I reschedule my appointment?

You can rearrange your appointment if the time or day you’ve been given doesn’t suit you.

There may be evening and weekend vaccination clinics available too. If it’s more convenient, you can book or reschedule your appointment to a vaccination clinic closer to where you work or somewhere you visit regularly. This can be anywhere in Scotland.

If you are unable to attend or cannot get to this location, you can change your appointment online at:

NHS Inform – Invitations and Appointments webpage

Or you can call the helpline number to rearrange your appointment Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm on 0800 030 8013 or Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm

Please note this number is for rescheduling appointments only.

Community Transport Schemes

Please see below the community transport schemes which are operating;

South Glasgow South West Community Transport

North Glasgow Community Transport Glasgow

East Renfrewshire – Wee Red Bus Contact Us | Community Transport East Renfrewshire

MyBus | SPT | Strathclyde Partnership for Transport

Cancelling your appointment or opting out

NHS Scotland strongly recommends you get vaccinations when they are offered to you.

However, if you decide to cancel your appointment, you should do this online via the booking portal or phone the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013. Appointments for children under 12 can only be cancelled by phoning the helpline.

If you wish to opt out, you will need to phone 0800 030 8013. You are only opting-out of coronavirus and flu vaccinations under the current programme. Please note that the way the IT system is built, you cannot opt out of one vaccine only. For example, if you are still interested in getting your flu vaccine, but not your coronavirus vaccine, you should not opt out. When offered a coronavirus vaccine at a future flu appointment, you can simply decline this.

If you previously opted out, this meant that we would no longer send you out a scheduled appointment for these vaccinations. You may have since received an invitation letter, text or email informing you of your eligibility for the winter vaccination programme, prompting you to book if you wish to do so. This is because NHS Scotland has a duty of care to inform you of the vaccines available to you. If you wish to opt out of all further communications about coronavirus and flu vaccinations, please call 0800 030 8013. If you are eligible for other vaccine programmes, you will still be invited for those. Your data will remain on the system, in case you wish to opt back in at any point in the future.

If you’re ill on the day

You no longer need to wait for a specific amount of time after confirmed Covid-19 infection to have your vaccine. However, if you’re unwell, wait until you’ve recovered to have your vaccine. You should not attend an appointment if you have a fever, diarrhoea or vomiting, or think you might be infectious to others.

What can I expect after my vaccine

Possible side effects of the flu vaccines

Like all medicines, the flu vaccine can cause side effects. This is normal but not everyone gets them. It shows the vaccine is teaching your body’s immune system how to protect itself from the disease.

These potential side effects are much less serious than flu or complications associated with flu.

Side effects are usually mild and may include:

tenderness, swelling and/or redness at the site of the injection
headache
muscle aches
fever (temperature 38°C or above)

You may also feel generally unwell. These possible side effects usually go away within a few days.

You can rest and take the normal dose of paracetamol (follow the advice in the packaging) to help make yourself feel better.

Possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine

Like all medicines, the COVID-19 vaccine can cause side effects. This is normal but not everyone gets them. It shows the vaccine is teaching your body’s immune system how to protect itself from the disease.

Side effects are usually mild and may include:

a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection
feeling tired
headache
general aches or mild flu-like symptoms

Side effects should normally only last a few days, and no longer than a week. Even if you’ve had side effects after a previous dose, it’s recommended you get all the doses you’re eligible for, unless your side effect was severe. If you have any questions, speak to your health professional or vaccinator. You can rest and take paracetamol (follow the dose advice in the packaging) to help make yourself feel better.

Where will I be required to attend for my appointment?

Please note the below locations are for those who have been contacted with an appointment. We have drop in clinic dates and information at the top of this page.

East Dunbartonshire

Clinic	Facilities	Location/Transport
Milngavie Town Hall: 71 Station Rd, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 8BZ	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Milngavie Town Hall – Google Maps Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Kirkintiloch Town Hall, Kirkintilloch, G66 1HN	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Kirkintilloch Town Hall Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail

Renfrewshire

Clinic	Facilities	Location/Transport
Renfrew Parish Church Hall, 14 Renfield Street, Renfrew PA4 8RG	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Interpreter Services	Renfrew Parish Church Hall Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Johnstone Town Hall: 25 Church St, Johnstone, PA5 8EG	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Johnstone Town Hall – Google Maps Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Piazza Shopping Centre Unit-28/29, Central Way, Paisley PA1 1ELB	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Piazza Shopping Centre Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail After 6pm, please use the Smithhills Street entrance to the Piazza Shopping Centre

East Renfrewshire

Clinic	Facilities	Location/Transport
Eastwood Health Centre, Drumby Cres, Clarkston, Glasgow G76 7HN	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Eastwood Health Centre Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Barrhead Health & Social Care Centre, 213 Main St, Barrhead, Glasgow G78 1SA	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Barrhead Health & Care Centre – Google Maps Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail

Glasgow City

Clinic	Facilities	Location/Transport
Stobhill Hospital Seminar Rooms, car park 3 entrance, 133 Balornock Road, Glasgow G21 3UW	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Stobhill Hospital Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail The clinic is situated at the rear of Stobhill Hospital (Seminar Rooms) Go through main entrance door and continue to the exit directly at the rear of the building. The seminar rooms are at the building on the left.
Sandyford Govanhill, Calder St, Govanhill, Glasgow G42 7PE	Parking Wheelchair access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities	Govanhill Sandyford
Institute of Neurological Sciences, Queen Elizabeth 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF	Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Institute of Neurological Sciences Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Parkhead Hub, 1251 Duke Street, Parkhead, Glasgow, G31 5NZ	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	The Parkhead Hub Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Priesthill Community Hall, 100 Priesthill Road, Glasgow G53 6QL	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Priesthill Community Hall Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
St Marks Church, 281 Kinfauns Drive, Drumchapel, Glasgow G15 7BD	Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	St Mark’s Church – Google Maps Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Greater Easterhouse Supporting Hands, 1 Redcastle Sq, Glasgow G33 5EG	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Greater Easterhouse Supporting Hands – Google Maps Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Whiteinch Centre, 1 Northinch St, Glasgow G14 0UG	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Whiteinch Centre Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Castlemilk Health Centre, 71 Dougrie Drive, Glasgow, G45 9AW	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Castlemilk Health Centre Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail

West Dunbartonshire

Clinic	Facilities	Location/Transport
Alexandria Community Centre: Main St, Alexandria, G83 0NU	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Alexandria Community Centre – Google Maps Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Concorde Community Centre, St Mary’s Way, Dumbarton G82 1LJ	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Concorde Community Centre – Google Maps Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Clydebank Health And Care Centre, Queens Quay Main Avenue, Clydebank G81 1BS	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Clydebank Health And Care Centre Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail

Inverclyde

Clinic	Facilities	Location/Transport
Port Glasgow Health Centre, 2-4 Bay St, Port Glasgow PA14 5EW	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Port Glasgow Health Centre Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail
Broomhill Gardens and Community Hub, 46 Mearns St, Greenock PA15 4QD	Parking Wheelchair Access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities Baby Changing Interpreter Services	Broomhill Gardens and Community Hub Bus – First Bus Train – ScotRail

Bus Routes surrounding Broomhill Community Hub

Community Pharmacy – Flu Only

You’ll be offered the flu vaccine this year at our participating pharmacies if you’re:

All those aged 65 and over
All those aged 18 to 65 years in defined risk groups. This includes:
those in clinical at-risk groups set out in Influenza: the green book, chapter 19 – GOV.UK
Frontline health and social care workers
All NHS staff
Poultry workers & bird handlers (eligibility information in Annex A)
Cattle & Swine workers (eligibility information in Annex B)
Unpaid carers and young carers
Household contacts of those with immunosuppression
asylum seekers living in Home Office hotel or B&B accommodation
those experiencing homelessness
those experiencing substance misuse

Participating Pharmacies:

East Dunbartonshire HSCP

East Renfrewshire HSCP

Glasgow City HSCP – North East

Glasgow City HSCP – North West

Glasgow City HSCP – South

Inverclyde HSCP

Renfrewshire HSCP

West Dunbartonshire HSCP

Adults aged 16-18yrs who remain in secondary education will not be vaccinated in community pharmacy. This cohort will be picked up by the School Health Service. If your child has missed their vaccination in school,(i.e. due to sickness) the chilhood vaccination team will revisit the school and arrange for your child to be vaccinated. Childhood flu vaccination are not available in community pharmacy.

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