COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

As always, the Scottish Government’s decision-making on the vaccination programme is guided by the independent expert clinical advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). It is crucial we prioritise those who are most at risk.

Throughout the pandemic, evidence has clearly shown that COVID-19 has disproportionately affected those in older age groups, residents in care homes for older adults, and those who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness due to underlying health conditions.

The primary objective of the winter vaccination programme this year will be to increase protection against severe COVID-19 illness for those at higher risk. That is why the groups were recommended by the JCVI – if you are not in any of the groups identified in the advice, you are considered to be at lower risk and therefore not eligible for a winter COVID-19 booster at this time.

The vaccine you are offered will be safe and effective for you and will be based on clinical recommendations, including those of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The vaccine you receive will also depend on your age and vaccine availability.

NHS Scotland will only use a vaccine if it meets the required standards of safety and effectiveness. All medicines, including vaccines, are tested for safety and effectiveness before they’re allowed to be used. 

The JCVI has advised that all of the available vaccines provide strong protection against severe illness from COVID-19.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the use of the bivalent vaccine ‘Spikevax bivalent Original/Omicron BA.1’ for adult booster doses (18+). This updated vaccine targets the original virus from 2020 and the Omicron variant.

It is important that everyone who is eligible takes up a booster this autumn, whichever vaccine is on offer.

All children aged 2 to 5 years (not yet in school) and children aged 6 months to 2 years with an eligible health condition will usually be offered the flu vaccine in community clinics.

All primary and secondary school pupils (including those with eligible health conditions) will be offered the vaccine in school

Find out more about the child flu vaccine here: Child flu vaccine | NHS inform

Where possible, the winter COVID-19 vaccine will be given at the same time as the flu vaccination to those who are eligible.

The COVID-19 vaccination programme has always offered vaccinations in the safest and most effective way possible. The JCVI’s clinical advice and evidence shows that that administration of both vaccines together is a safe and efficient way to deliver maximum protection over winter months.

Please note that the only exception will be those who can’t have the mRNA vaccines.

The aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is to protect those who are most at risk of serious illness. Experience has shown that the vaccine offers significant protection against developing severe symptoms.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, large proportions of the UK population have developed at least partial immunity against COVID-19 through a combination of immunity from vaccination and natural immunity gained after contracting COVID-19.

As we transition from a period of pandemic emergency response to pandemic recovery, the focus will increasingly be on protecting those in society who continue to be more at risk of severe COVID-19. To achieve this, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) considers a planned and targeted vaccination programme is considered more appropriate than a reactive vaccination strategy.

The primary objective of the vaccines being offered in Scotland this autumn is to maximise protection against severe COVID-19 for those at higher risk over winter, and to reduce their risk of hospitalisation or death as a result of contracting the virus.

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. It’s normal to experience side effects after the vaccine, and this shows the vaccine is teaching your body’s immune system how to protect itself from the disease. However, not everyone gets them, and most side effects are mild and normally last only a day or two.

The COVID-19 vaccines recommended for use in Scotland have been through the same safety checks as any other vaccine. The vaccines were developed urgently but safely as there was a huge global need and scientists worked together like never before.

NHS Scotland will only use a vaccine if it meets the required standards of safety and effectiveness. All medicines, including vaccines, are tested for safety and effectiveness before they’re allowed to be used.

More than 12 billion doses of the vaccine have been safely given worldwide. Anyone with unexplained or unexpected symptoms should speak to their healthcare professional.

A link to winter vaccine leaflets can be found here: Winter vaccines leaflets | NHS inform

The people being offered the vaccine are those at higher risk of developing serious illness if they get COVID-19 or flu. Vaccination is still the best way of protecting yourself and those around you.

The vaccines can make your flu and COVID-19 symptoms milder and reduce your risk of needing hospital treatment or dying. As protection reduces over time, it is important to have the vaccines when you are offered them to protect you over winter.

Since its beginning, the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has been guided by the expert advice provided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI will continue to review emerging evidence about the virus, vaccine effectiveness and waning protection and uses this to formulate advice on who should receive vaccination and when in order to maximise protection. We will continue to deliver vaccinations in line with this advice.

The COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended in pregnancy. Vaccination is the best way to protect those who are pregnant and their babies against the known risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy. You and your unborn baby cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccine.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises that those who are pregnant of any age should be prioritised as a clinical risk group for COVID-19 vaccination.

It's important you get all the recommended doses of the coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible if you are pregnant. The vaccine can be given at any stage during pregnancy.

The vaccines available in the UK have been shown to be safe and effective. Evidence shows there are no pregnancy-related safety concerns following COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.

There's no evidence to suggest that the vaccine will affect fertility in women or men. If you are thinking of getting pregnant, the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your baby against the known risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy.

More information on pregnancy, breastfeeding and the COVID-19 vaccine can be found on NHS Inform: Pregnancy, breastfeeding and the coronavirus vaccine | NHS inform

If you have a fear of needles and are a bit nervous, let the person giving you your vaccine know – they will be very understanding and can support you by helping you feel calm. The needles used are small and you should only feel a tiny pinprick.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from severe COVID-19 illness. As we go into winter, the priority will be delivering winter vaccines to those who are most vulnerable, however it is never too late to come forward to complete your primary course.

To find out how many doses of the COVID-19 vaccine you are eligible for and how to arrange an appointment please use this self help guide: www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines

If you don’t have online access please call the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

Yes, if you are a carer, aged 16 and over, you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster and a flu vaccine this autumn. In Scotland we use the definition as per the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, vaccinating anyone who is a carer, whether the person they care for is elderly / disabled and at increased risk or not.

To find out when you are eligible and how to book your winter vaccines, visit Winter vaccines | NHS inform

The following groups will be contacted with a scheduled appointment:

• All those 65 years and over will receive letters starting from 15 August (appointments starting 19 September)
• All those aged 5 to 64 years in a clinical risk group will receive letters – please wait to be contacted.

The following group will be contacted with a prompt letter to book an appointment via the online portal:

• All those aged 50 to 64 years – please wait to be contacted.

The following groups will not receive letters and should book an appointment via the online portal or follow advice from their local Health Boards on any local arrangements when advised:

• Frontline health and social care workers from 22 August (appointments starting on 5 September)
• Those aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with weakened immune system – please visit NHS inform for information on how and when you can book online.
• Carers aged 16-49 years – please visit NHS inform for information on when you can book online.

If you work for NHS Golden Jubilee, you’ll be offered your vaccines through work, so do not need to book online.

If you live in Orkney or Shetland, you will be contacted with an appointment. If this appointment is not suitable you will be able to reschedule your appointment as advised. Please do not use the online booking portal.

Care home residents are being visited by vaccination teams to be vaccinated in their care homes from 5 September onwards. Care home staff may be vaccinated at the same visit, or they can book an appointment via the portal from 22 August.

If you work in a school or prison you may be offered the flu vaccine through work. If you are unable to get it in a workplace setting you will be able to book your flu appointment online.

You can access the flu and COVID-19 vaccine booking portal by following this link: https://www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines

Your username will be on a previous vaccination appointment invitation letter and will also be on your current invitation or prompt letter, should you have received one.

If you do not know your username you can recover it via the booking portal using a past vaccination date, which you will be able to find on your COVID-19 Status app or paper copy of your record of vaccination.

If you do not know a past vaccination date you would need to call  0345 034 2456.

In order to recover your password, you need to have registered an email address and know your username. If you have not registered with an email address you will need to call 0345 034 2456.

If you do not have an email address linked to your account, please remember to add it to your personal details. If you don’t provide an email address and forget your password in the future, you will need to call 0345 034 2456 for help.

If you don’t have online access you can book via the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013. They will find a date and time in the online portal for you.

If you are sent a scheduled invitation you will be offered an appointment in a community clinic close to your registered address. On the booking portal you will be able to book or reschedule your appointment in a community clinic of your choice. You can also book an appointment in another health board area if more convenient – for example if you live in one town or city, but work in another.

We continue to explore available options to maximise capacity in the vaccination programme, for example providing additional clinics at evenings and weekends.

No, the helpline accesses the same system used by individuals and so do not have access to additional appointments. If you cannot find an appointment that suits you please check back at a later time as new appointments are being added all the time.

The JCVI has advised that, in line with previous booster doses of the vaccine, you should wait at least 12 weeks since your last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving the winter vaccine. Those called forward to book an appointment should book an appointment in line with this guidance.

If you are a household contact of someone with a weakened immune system or you are a carer aged 16-49 you will be eligible for the winter COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Please wait to be called forward before booking an appointment using the portal.

We advise people to make every effort to attend a vaccination appointment when one is offered, but accept that this is not always possible which is why we offer an online rescheduling facility on NHS Inform for those who could not attend: https://www.nhsinform.scot/winter-vaccines/rearrange-or-opt-out-of-your-coronavirus-vaccination-appointment/

As of 5 September 2022, if you have missed your vaccination appointment, you must wait 72 hours after the time of that appointment before you can book a new one via the online booking portal.