Winter Vaccination Programme 2025/26

Drop in Vaccination Clinics

Winter vaccines Drop-in clinics

We’re encouraging those eligible to take up the offer of their flu and/or COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. Both viruses can be serious and evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccine protection fades and the flu virus changes over time. 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, or both, 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

Dates 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.

The mobile vaccination service will offer Flu vaccinations on:

Wednesday 15th October – 10:00am – 16:00pm – Erskine Sports Centre, Kilpatrick Drive, Erskine, PA8 7AF

Thursday 16th October – 10:00am – 16:00pm – Samaritan House, 79 Coplaw Street, Govanhill, G42 7JG

Friday 17th October – 10:00am – 16:00pm – Tesco car park, Annick Street, Shettleston, G32 7JE

Monday 20th October – 10:00am – 16:00pm – Asda Linwood, Phoenix Retail Park, PA1 2AB

Tuesday 21st October – 10:00am – 16:00pm – Clydebank Shopping Centre (beside McMonagles), 1 Argyle Road, G81 1QA

Wedensday 22nd October – 10:00am – 16:00pm – Craigend Resoucrce Centre, McLeod Street, Greenock, PA15 2HD

Thursday 23rd October – 10:00am – 16:00pm – The Foundry, Main Street, Barrhead, G78 1SW

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:

• 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 01/09/2025)
• All primary school children (primary one to primary seven)
• All secondary school pupils (years one to six)

COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered to those who are eligible until 31st January 2026.

Flu vaccinations will be offered to those who are eligible until 31st March 2026.

Flu and Covid-19 vaccines will be offered to those eligible from 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.

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.

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:

• aged 65 and over
• aged 18 to 64 with an eligible health condition
• pregnant
• living in a long-stay residential care home or other long-stay care facility
• working in a care home for older adults
• living with someone who has a weakened immune system
• an unpaid or young carer
• a frontline health or social care worker
• a non-frontline NHS worker
• a poultry worker or bird handler
• an asylum seeker living in a home office hotel or B&B accommodation
• experiencing homelessness or substance misuse
• living in a Scottish prison

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:

• adults aged 75 years and over
• residents in a care home for older adults
• individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed (as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book)

To find out if you are eligible for flu vaccination, please visit the Flu vaccine | NHS inform

To find out if you are eligible for COVID Vaccination please visit 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.

Staff Vaccination 2025/26

• Health social care and social work staff who work directly with patients and provide support services are eligible for the flu vaccine this year.
• Non-frontline NHS staff are also eligible for the flu vaccine.
• Vaccination of staff groups will protect health services from staff absences during the winter months. It is recommended staff take up the offer of vaccination this year to protect those in their care and themselves.  

To find out if you are eligible for flu vaccination, please visit the Flu vaccine | NHS inform

Staff flu vaccinations

 We have Staff Vaccination Clinics running the week of 22nd September at the following acute sites:

TBC

For anyone that is hospital based, there are over 40 peer vaccinators working across our hospital sites continuing to offer staff vaccines within their ward settings.

Health and social care staff are also able to access community pharmacy to receive their flu vaccine at a time and place that is convenient to them. To find out participating pharmacies, please click here

Community flu vaccination clinics are also available. These can be booked by visiting Login – Customer Service (nhs.scot) or calling 0800 030 8013 during the hours of Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm or Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm.

For staff with a weakened immune system who access the national booking portal. They may say an automatic message advising them to wait until they have received their letter. This is directed at those staff members who are 65 or over, immunocompromised, or ‘at-risk’.

• 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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.
Gorbals Health & Care Centre, 2 Sandiefield road, Gorbals, G5 9AB	Parking Wheelchair access Hearing Loop Toilet Facilities	Gorbals Health & Care Centre
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

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

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

If you are aged over 65 years or aged 18-64 years and have an underlying condition and normally receive flu vaccination it can be administered at participating pharmacies which can be found: Further details to follow.

If you are an NHS member of staff, work in a Care Home or provide care at home then you can also attend a local community pharmacy for your flu vaccination.

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 vacciantion team will revisit the school and arrange for your child to be vaccinated. Childhood flu vaccination are not available in community pharmacy.