Coronavirus (COVID-19) and flu vaccinations
It's strongly recommended you get vaccinated for flu and coronavirus (COVID-19). Both viruses can be serious - evidence shows that coronavirus vaccine protection fades, and the flu virus changes over time.
Don't let your protection fade. It's important to keep up to date with your vaccines. Getting another vaccine will top up your protection and help prevent you from getting seriously ill or dying.
On this page
Important: Winter vaccinations 2026-27
20 August 2026
If you are eligible for winter vaccines (flu and COVID-19) during winter 2026-27, NHS Scotland will contact you by letter, email or text message.
You’ll be given details of your appointment or told how to book one. You can use an online service to view and manage your upcoming vaccination appointments.
Please wait until mid-October 2026 to be contacted.
If you have a family member who you think would be eligible, please ask them to contact us to check or arrange their appointment.
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. You may receive your invitation at a different time than previous years.
You should attend the appointment you’ve been given, or rearrange your appointment online. If you do not wish to attend your NHS Scotland scheduled appointment, please contact us so we can offer a place to someone else.
Who can get the winter vaccines?
The winter vaccines are offered to people at increased risk of getting seriously ill from flu or COVID-19.
Flu
Eligible people include:
those living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities
adults aged 65 and over
aged 18 to 64 with an eligible health condition
Read more at NHS inform about full eligibility for the flu vaccine.
COVID-19
Eligible people include:
residents in care homes for older adults
adults aged 75 years and over (born on or before 31 March 1952)
people aged 6 months and over (born on or before 1 March 2026) with a weakened immune system
Read more at NHS inform about full eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine.
More eligibility information
Eligible groups for winter vaccinations 2026 (infographic, pdf)
Are you newly eligible?
Health records are regularly refreshed and reviewed during vaccination programmes. Your health record may have recently changed, if you have developed a condition or are now receiving treatment that weakens your immune system. You may now meet the criteria for winter vaccination and receive an invitation letter.
Important: Winter vaccine information from NHS inform
- When and how can I get the vaccines?
- Who can get the vaccines?
- Help with booking
Important: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine information from NHS inform
- Online booking portal
- About coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Why should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
- How is the COVID-19 vaccine given?
- How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?
- Vaccine safety
- Who will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine?
- People with a weakened immune system
- Possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine
- Are there any reasons I shouldn’t get the vaccine?
- Information in other languages and formats
Important: Flu vaccine information from NHS inform
- About flu
- Why should I get the flu vaccine?
- How is the flu vaccine given?
- How does the flu vaccine work?
- Vaccine safety
- Who will be offered the flu vaccine
- Eligible health conditions
- Possible side effects of the flu vaccines
- Are there any reasons I should not get the vaccine?
- Information in other languages and formats
Community vaccination clinic locations
A location on this map does not always represent a bookable or drop-in clinic there. Clinics will end, can fill up or be cancelled at short notice. Use this map only to find a clinic location if you need it.
You do not need to book at your closest venue if you don't want to wait. If you're able to travel, you can make a vaccination clinic booking at any available venue outside your local area, where capacity allows.
Important: Online service for vaccination appointments
NHS Scotland offers an online booking portal to:
- manage your upcoming vaccination appointments
- view your vaccination history
- maintain your preferred contact details - if you select to receive correspondence about your vaccination appointments by email or SMS text in future, then you'll no longer receive letters with this information
To manage a clinic booking at one of these locations, log in to the booking portal using your own account details.
Daytime appointments only (usually between 9am and 4pm) - evening appointments are not available. Appointments on small islands in Argyll and Bute should be booked directly with the local GP practice instead of using the portal.
Login to the portal or registerReschedule your vaccine appointment if you feel very unwell - for example if you have a fever, vomiting or diarrhoea. You should not attend an appointment if you think you might be infectious to others.
If you hold Power of Attorney (POA) for an adult without capacity please bring the POA documentation to vaccination appointments. Without this we may not be able to vaccinate due to lack of valid consent.
Find out how to rearrange or opt-out of your vaccination appointment at NHS inform, including a national helpline number.
Important: Help by phone or email
Our Service Delivery Centre provides a centralised point of contact for the population of the NHS Highland area, co-ordinating vaccination appointments. The Service Delivery Centre can be contacted to:
book an appointment
rearrange an appointment
cancel an appointment (please let us know so we can offer a place to someone else)
provide assistance with general vaccination enquiries - for example, if you have a condition that means you need additional support at your appointment, we can make arrangements
When leaving a message by phone or email, please include your name and address (including postcode). One of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please do not send repeated voicemails and emails - we will attend to messages in order. This will help the team to get back to everyone quickly.
Call or email
email nhsh.vaccinationenquiries@nhs.scot
Please use this email address for enquiries whenever possible.
phone 0800 032 0339
Available:
Monday: 9:15am to 5:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9:30am to 5:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
You can leave a voicemail outside these hours with details. The line is closed on public holidays.
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