Information about flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines to help protect you this winter.
Find out what you’re eligible for and when you’ll be invited to get vaccinated.
The vaccines that will help protect you from flu and coronavirus this winter are being made available now.
NHS Scotland is vaccinating those most at risk first, please wait until you are contacted or called forward to book your winter vaccine appointment. NHS Scotland recommends you get your vaccines as soon as they are offered to you.
Check which vaccines you’ll be offered
Answer a few questions in the self-help guide to find out if you’re eligible for flu and coronavirus vaccines. Eligibility is based on age, health condition and/or job.
COVID 19 vaccine
Information about the coronavirus vaccine, including how many doses you’ll be offered and possible side effects is available from NHS Inform >
The flu vaccine
Information about the flu and child flu vaccine, including where and how you’ll be offered it, and possible side effects is available from NHS Inform >
Winter vaccines leaflets
Leaflets about the coronavirus and flu vaccines and why they’re being offered are available from NHS Inform >
Online booking portal
Frontline health and social care workers can book appointments online from Monday 22 August. Everyone else should wait until they are contacted by NHS Scotland.
You can log in to book using your unique username and password. This is the same as you had for your previous doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
Go to the online booking portal >
You can rearrange your appointment if the time or day doesn’t suit you.
Where possible, the winter coronavirus vaccine will be given at the same time as the flu vaccine, if you’re eligible for both. This is a safe and efficient way to give maximum protection over winter months.
The coronavirus vaccine should be given at least 12 weeks after your last dose. Only 1 dose of the flu vaccine is needed each winter.
Local health board vaccination information >
Rearrange or opt-out of your vaccination appointment >
Who will be offered the winter vaccines
NHS Scotland recommends you have both the flu and coronavirus vaccines this year if you’re:
• aged 50 years or over
• a resident or staff working in a care home for older adults
• a younger adult in long stay nursing and residential care settings
• a frontline health or social care worker
• aged 5 to 49 years with an eligible health condition, including those with poorly controlled asthma
• aged 5 to 49 years and are a household contact of someone with a weakened immune system
• an unpaid carer or a young carer (16 years or over)
• pregnant
Flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is also recommended for:
• people aged 16 to 49 years with an eligible health condition, including well controlled asthma
• children aged 6 months to 2 years with an eligible health condition
• all children aged 2 to 5 years (not yet at school)
• all primary and secondary school pupils
• nursery, primary and secondary school teachers and pupil-facing support staff in local authority or independent settings
• prison population, prison officers and support staff who deliver direct front-facing detention services
Frontline health and social care workers are eligible for the vaccines this winter.
The parents of neonatal babies are also eligible for a coronavirus vaccine.
If you’re not sure if your eligible for the flu vaccination and/or the COVID-19 winter booster, you can check this via NHS Inform. You can also contact the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 for assistance.
