Vaccinations

Immunisations provide vital protection to you and your family against illnesses which can be serious or even fatal.

For more information on what vaccines you are eligible for, and how to access these, please visit NHS Lothian’s website - Immunisation (nhslothian.scot)

Alternatively, you can telephone 0300 790 6296 for more information (you may be charged for this call).

You can also email enquires regarding vaccinations to loth.covidvaccenquiries@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk  (please note, although the email address includes 'covid' this is for all vaccination enquiries at present).

If getting in touch to book a vaccination that you've missed, please provide your name, date of birth, address and CHI number (if available). 

For information on the NHS Lothian Winter Vaccination programme, please visit Winter vaccines 2023/24 – COVID-19 (nhslothian.scot)

You can download a flu vaccination leaflet by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page.

For information on the flu vaccination in languages other than English including BSL, please visit Flu vaccine leaflets, translations and other formats | NHS inform 

The following groups are eligible for flu vaccination this year:

• People aged 50 years and over
• People aged 18-49 with an eligible health condition
• Non-frontline health and social care workers
• Nursery, primary and secondary school teachers and pupil-facing support staff
• Prison population, prison officers and prison staff who deliver direct front-facing detention services
• School age pupils (primary and secondary)
• Children aged 2-5 on 1 September 2023 (and not yet at school)
• Children aged 6 months to 2 years at risk

The following groups are eligible for vaccination against flu and COVID-19 this year:

• Frontline health and social care workers
• Residents and staff in care homes for older adults
• Those aged 65 and over
• Those aged 6 months to 64 years of age at higher risk
• Pregnant women
• Carers (including unpaid) aged 16-64
• Household contacts of those with a weakened immune system aged 12-64

Invitations will include either a timed appointment or instructions to book an appointment.

Please see the timetable for vaccinations for two to five year olds at the bottom of this page - if the appointment you have been sent for your child isn't suitable then you are welcome to attend any of the other clinics as long as you bring your original letter with you. 

Appointments can be booked via the online portal or by calling the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.

The winter programme will aim to complete most vaccinations by early December, but the programme will run until 31 March 2024.