Vaccination Services
General Vaccinations
From 1st April 2022 the way vaccination is delivered changed. The new GP contract means that GPs no longer deliver any vaccinations (both children and adults) and the responsibility for this has transferred to health boards.
Unless stated otherwise, local vaccinations are usually delivered at the following NHS Western Isles sites (but please ensure you attend the correct venue stated in your vaccine invitation):
VACCINATION CLINICS
NHS SCOTLAND RECOMMENDS YOU GET YOUR VACCINES AS SOON AS THEY ARE OFFERED TO YOU
To find out what vaccines you are eligible for, visit NHS Inform
Vaccination Helpline
If you have an enquiry about accessing your vaccination, or need to amend or cancel your appointment, please contact the Western Isles Vaccination helpline on 0808 196 8383 or email wi.vaccination@nhs.scot (phoneline open Monday to Friday: 9am-5pm).
When will I be invited?
NHS Scotland has contacted people who are eligible for a flu vaccine only. You should attend the appointment you’ve been given, or make or rearrange your appointment as soon as possible. Flu vaccines are being prioritised in September.
Flu and coronavirus vaccines will be offered to those eligible between September and December. 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.
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.
Health and social care staff can attend any of the advertised drop-in clinics on our Vaccination Clinic Schedule page below.
Choosing how you would like to be contacted
You can now update your contact details and your preferred method of contact on the online portal. If you select to receive future correspondence about your COVID-19 and flu vaccines by email or SMS then you will no longer receive future letters with this information.
Instructions on how to use the online portal can be found here: How to book your vaccine appointment online
Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccine
Cases of measles are on the rise in Europe and parts of the UK, including Scotland. There remains a risk of infection for those who have not been fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. Measles is one of the most infectious diseases, it is spread by tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
In most cases, measles will pass in around seven to 10 days without causing further problems. However, in some cases measles can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications such as lung infections (pneumonia) and brain infections (encephalitis).
Anyone can get measles if they haven’t been vaccinated or haven’t had it before. It is more common amongst children, but this doesn’t mean adults aren’t at risk too.
NHS Scotland offers two doses of the MMR vaccine to children at roughly 12 months then three years and four months of age. If you or your child missed the vaccine at these ages, they can be given at any age.
If you are not sure if you had the MMR vaccine, you should contact your GP for your vaccination status.
To make an appointment for a vaccine, call 01851 708028 (open 9am – 5pm with an answering machine available out with these hours), or email wi.primarycare@nhs.scot and leave your name and contact details.
Click here to view our current Vaccination Clinic schedule.
If you need to amend or cancel your vaccination appointment, or are house-bound or have medical issues which may prevent you from attending an appointment, please contact the Western Isles Vaccination helpline on 0808 196 8383 or email wi.vaccination@nhs.scot.
Childhood Vaccinations
Our childhood teams deliver all our vaccinations to children 0-6, primary and secondary school children. This covers the age range of 0-18 years. Babies and children age 0-6 will be appointed and you as parent or carer will receive an appointment through the post to attend your local community clinic for your child’s vaccination. The appointment letter will also provide you with a telephone number to reschedule your appointment if required.
Routine Childhood immunisations for those aged 0-5 years will continue to be delivered within the child's GP Practice.
Primary and Secondary school children will be vaccinated in school. If your child is off sick on the day of vaccination, the NHS Western Isles School Nursing Team will ensure your child is vaccinated if consent is in place. To facilitate this, the team will ensure they are included in the future vaccination programme. This may be within the next school term or following school year group, depending on the vaccination being given.
If a child is home schooled and has missed out on any vaccinations and you wish them to be vaccinated, then please telephone 0808 196 8383 to refer you to the School Nursing Team.
Local Child Flu Vaccination Helpline
If you have an enquiry about accessing your child's free flu vaccination or Covid Booster (where eligible), or need to amend or cancel your appointment, or require transport support to attend your appointment, please contact the Western Isles Vaccination helpline on 0808 196 8383. On receipt of the referral, the School Nursing Team will be in touch with you to arrange an appointment.
Group A Streptococcus (GAS)
GAS, also known as strep A is a common bacteria which causes mild infections. These are usually mild but on some rare occasions can become more serious infection known as invasive Group A Strep (iGAS). For more information visit Streptococcus A (Strep A) | NHS inform
Babies at 2 months
- 6-in-1 vaccine – helps protect your baby against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B
- MenB vaccine – helps protect your baby against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning)
- Rotavirus vaccine – helps protect your baby against rotavirus
Babies at 3 months
- 6-in-1 vaccine – helps protect your baby against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B
- Rotavirus vaccine – helps protect your baby against rotavirus
- Pneumoccocal vaccine for babies – helps protect your baby against meningitis caused by pneumococcal bacteria
Babies at 4 months
- 6-in-1 vaccine – helps protect your baby against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and hepatitis B
- MenB vaccine – helps protect your baby against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning)
Babies at 12-13 months (within a month of their 1st birthday)
- Hib/MenC vaccine – helps protect your baby against 2 causes of meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning)
- MenB vaccine – helps protect your baby against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning)
- MMR vaccine – helps protect your baby against measles, mumps and rubella
- Pneumococcal vaccine for babies – helps protect your baby against meningitis caused by pneumococcal bacteria
Non-routine immunisations
- BCG vaccine – helps protect your baby against tuberculosis (TB)
- Hepatitis B vaccine – helps protect your baby against hepatitis B
- Child flu vaccine – offered to babies under 6 months with a health condition to help protect against flu (influenza). To view child flu vaccine leaflets, translations and other formats click here.
Find out more at Vaccination schedule – Immunisations in Scotland | NHS inform
- Child flu vaccine – routinely offered to children from the age of 2 until the end of primary school to help protect against flu (influenza). To view child flu vaccine leaflets, translations and other formats click here.
Find out more at Vaccination schedule – Immunisations in Scotland | NHS inform
- 4-in-1 vaccine – helps protect your child against diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio
- MMR vaccine – helps protect your child against measles, mumps and rubella
- Child flu vaccine – offered to children from the age of 2 until the end of primary school to help protect against flu (influenza). To view child flu vaccine leaflets, translations and other formats click here.
Find out more at Vaccination schedule – Immunisations in Scotland | NHS inform
- Td/IPV vaccine – helps protect against tetanus, diphtheria and polio
- Meningitis ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine – helps protect against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning)
- MMR vaccine – helps protect against mealses, mumps and rubella (for young people who haven't had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine as a child)
- HPV vaccine – helps protect against cervical cancer
Young people who have left school
- MMR vaccine – helps protect against measles, mumps and rubella (for young people who haven't had 2 doses of the MMR vaccine as a child)
Young people with medical conditions
- Pneumococcal vaccine – helps protect against meningitis caused by pneumococcal bacteria
- Flu vaccine – helps protect against flu (influenza). To view child flu vaccine leaflets, translations and other formats click here.
Find out more at Vaccination schedule – Immunisations in Scotland | NHS inform
Adult Vaccinations
Overview
NHS Western Isles begins COVID-19 spring booster programme with at risk groups offered additional dose
Residents in care homes for older adults are the first to receive their spring COVID-19 booster as the latest stage of the national vaccination programme gets underway.
Following recent advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), a spring booster dose will also be offered to those aged 75 and over and individuals aged five and over with a weakened immune system. These groups will start to receive appointment letters this week, with the first appointments for those aged 75 and over being offered from April 11.
Spring Booster
The following groups will be offered COVID-19 Spring Booster from April 2023:
- Residents in care homes for older adults
- All adults aged 75 years and over
- Persons aged 5 to 74 years with a weakened immune system, as set out in the Green Book: COVID-19: the green book, chapter 14a – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Full Primary Doses of the COVID vaccine
Up until the 30 June 2023, anyone who has not received their full primary course (i.e. their first 2 doses, with a possible 3rd dose for certain individuals with a weakened immune system) can come forward to receive these. After this date, only those in the following categories may come forward for their primary course :
- Staff and residents in care homes for older adults
- frontline health and social care workers
- all adults aged 50 years and over
- persons aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, as set out in the Green Book
- persons aged 12 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- persons aged 16 to 49 years who are carers, as set out in the Green Book
After 30 June 2023 5-49 year olds, who do not have any underlying health conditions that make them vulnerable to COVID-19, will no longer be eligible for any COVID-19 vaccination. The only exception to this is if proof of vaccination status is required for international travel or visas. The Vaccination Clinics listed below detail the current age/eligible groups being invited at this time.
Please Note: If you require a Primary Dose of the COVID vaccine, please phone 0808 196 8383 to make an appointment. These will not be available at scheduled drop-in clinics, unless pre-booked.
Western Isles Vaccination Helpline
If you have an enquiry about accessing your free flu vaccination or Covid booster (where eligible), or need to amend or cancel your appointment, or require transport support to attend your appointment, please contact the Western Isles Vaccination helpline on 0808 196 8383.
Your Appointment
Where eligible flu and Covid Vaccination will be given at the same appointment.
On the day of your appointment
- Please arrive as close to your appointment time as possible. This will help avoid queues and issues with social distancing.
- Please wear a face covering while in the Vaccination Centre/Clinic during your appointment.
- Use the hand sanitiser provided.
- Please bring your letter, or booking reference number if your appointment is at a Vaccination Centre/Clinic
It is extremely important that you do not attend if
- You are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- You have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 28 days.
- You are self-isolating as you are a close contact.
- If you are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.
- If you develop symptoms you should self-isolate and reschedule your appointment for after the self-isolation period
How do I reschedule my appointment?
If you are unable to attend or cannot get to the location of your vaccination, you can cancel or rearrange your appointment by telephoning our local helpline number 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm on 0808 196 8383 or email: wi.vaccination@nhs.scot
Can I choose what vaccine I receive?
- No, all vaccines used within the programme by NHS Scotland are highly effective and provide a strong booster response
- When you attend your autumn/winter vaccination appointment, you will be offered a safe, effective vaccine that has been taken up by millions of people and is recommended by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, and licensed by the Medicines Health Regulatory Authority
- If you have any concerns, please discuss with your healthcare professional.
Where will I be required to attend for my appointment?
You will be notified where to attend.
Please note that as from September 2022 Drop-in Clinics will no longer be available as our focus will be on the delivery of the Autumn/Winter Vaccination Programme. This may change as we progress through this programme of delivery, so please look out for updates.
Pneumococcal disease is the term used to describe infections caused by the bacteria Streptococcus Pneumoniae (Pneumococcus). The Pneumococcal Vaccine PPV23 is offered to all adults aged 65 and over.
NHS Western Isles is responsible for organising Pneumococcal Vaccination for its population aged 65 and over. NHS Western Isles will locally contact individuals eligible for the Pneumococcal Vaccination. There is no need to do anything to receive your vaccine, you will be called to your appointment automatically.
For further information visit NHS Inform's Pneumococcal Vaccine section.
Shingles is caused by a virus known as latent Varicella Zoster. The primary infection usually occurs in childhood and causes Chickenpox (Varicella). Shingles Vaccination is recommended for those aged 70 -79.
NHS Western Isles is responsible for organising Shingles Vaccination for their population. NHS Western Isles will locally contact individuals eligible for Shingles Vaccination. There is no need to do anything to receive your vaccine, you will be called for your appointment automatically.
For further information visit NHS Inform's Shingles Vaccine section.
During pregnancy women are offered seasonal flu vaccine (Sept to March) together with Pertussis Vaccine at 16 weeks of pregnancy (Whooping Cough). This is delivered to all pregnant women through Maternity Services. If you think you may have missed this then please speak to your Midwife.
For further information visit NHS Inform's Whooping Cough vaccine section.
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection. The risk of catching Monkeypox in Scotland is low. Anyone can get Monkeypox though most cases in the UK and Europe have been in Gay, Bisexual and other Men who have sex with Men (GBMSM).
You can catch Monkeypox through close personal contact with someone who has the infection such as during sex.
More information on how you can catch Monkeypox and the symptoms of Monkeypox can be found on NHS Inform: Monkeypox | NHS inform
Monkeypox Vaccine Information
Monkeypox is caused by a virus similar to the one that causes Smallpox. Vaccines designed for Smallpox are also considered effective against Monkeypox. The Vaccine used is called Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA). The brand name is Imvanex. The vaccine helps the immune system to produce antibodies against the smallpox virus. This means the body makes its own protection to the virus. MVA vaccines do not contain the smallpox virus. They cannot spread or cause smallpox. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommend the MVA vaccine to help prevent monkeypox. Below is a link to the leaflet about the Vaccine: Imvanex – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage | Patient info (patient-info.co.uk)
Pre exposure vaccination against Monkeypox
As part of the national vaccination programme NHS Western Isles is offering pre-exposure vaccination for those at highest risk to help break transmission. Those meeting certain criteria may be contacted by NHS Western Isles or through Sandyford and invited for an appointment to discuss vaccination. Please note there is currently a limited supply of existing MVA vaccine and therefore it is being offered to those at highest risk first.
There is information available on the Sandyford website regarding pre-exposure vaccination against Monkeypox https://www.sandyford.scot/monkeypox-information or contact the Sandyford Clinic on 0141 211 8130.
Post exposure vaccination against Monkeypox
If you have been identified by a confirmed case as a close contact you will be contacted by the NHS Western Isles Public Health Protection team. Post exposure vaccination is most effective if given with 4 days from exposure, but can be given up to 14 days in some situations. Therefore the time frame from exposure and your type of exposure requires to be risk assessed and you may be offered post exposure vaccination.
No vaccine is 100% effective so you should still take precautions against Monkeypox even if you are vaccinated.
For further information on how you can help protect yourself please visit NHS Inform: Monkeypox | NHS inform
Also included on the NHS Inform page is a digital version of the PIL
Where to get Travel Health Advice in NHS Western Isles
NHS Western Isles delivers its travel health services via GP Practices.
Getting your Travel Advice, Risk Assessment and Vaccination
It is really important that you seek travel advice in adequate time before you travel. Some vaccines take time to work so we would advise you to contact services a minimum of 6 – 8 weeks in advance to allow us to accommodate your needs and ensure you are fully protected before you travel.
We are not able to offer appointments for NHS vaccines less than 7 days in advance of travel unless this is due to an emergency. To accommodate travel in less than 7 days then appointment can be made privately with one of our providers or another provider of your choosing.
Costs and Payment
Please note that some vaccines and services are chargeable. There are 4 vaccines available on the NHS for which there is no charge: Diptheria, Tetanus, Polio (DPT), Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Cholera.
You will be offered these vaccines based on the recommendations and your individual risk assessment for the country you are travelling to and the type of travel you are undertaking.
Other travel vaccinations are provided at a cost to the traveller. Our providers will discuss these costs fully with you and you can decide to have these vaccines from one of our providers or a private provider of your choice. E.g. Malaria Prescription, Yellow Fever Vaccination.
You can find local travel clinics via the NHS inform website.
Travelling Abroad
Many of us travel abroad particularly now that Covid restrictions have been lifted. There has been a significant increase in travelling over the last decade or so with many of us travelling to more far flung destinations and as a result there has been an increase in travel related illness and death which is preventable. Before you contact your GP Practice it is important that you check out the information below. Fit for Travel has a wealth of information to make your plans easier and prepare for safe travel whilst enjoying your travel whether that is business or pleasure. It is important that you get the right advice at the right time and at the right place before you travel. To find out more about the vaccinations you may require, please visit the Fit for Travel website.
Vaccination and disease advice by location
Further travel advice
- NHS Scotland's Fit for Travel website
- NHS Inform Travel and Vaccination Guide
- Foreign and Commonwealth Office
During Adult life sometimes we require other vaccines or repeated courses of vaccines if you have undergone or are about to undergo a transplant, chemotherapy or have been exposed to a blood borne virus or had a dog or human bite. These vaccinations will be arranged via your Consultant or GP Practice.
If you missed some vaccines during childhood, your GP, Health Visitor or Consultant will refer you for any vaccinations required. On receipt of your referral, the Vaccination Service will contact you to arrange an appointment.
Those about to or undergoing treatment or who have been exposed to a blood borne virus will be prioritised over routine referrals. You do not need to do anything to receive your vaccination as our Vaccination Service will be in touch with an appointment.
Staff Information
Please note this section is only applicable to NHS Western Isles staff:
Winter Vaccination (COVID and Flu vaccination)
NHS Scotland is offering both the COVID and Flu vaccination to all frontline health and social care workers to help protect them and the highest risk patients they come into contact with. All NHS Western Isles staff are encouraged to have the flu vaccine. Staff drop-in is available at all clinics but priority will be given to those with booked appointments:
If you have your username and password that you used for your Vaccination Certificate, then you can book using the Self Serve Portal go to Login – Customer Service (nhs.scot) If you don’t have your username yet, then either phone 0808 196 8383 or email wi.vaccination@nhs.scot to book (phoneline open Monday to Friday: 9am-5pm).
Staff are reminded that vaccination staff take their lunch break between 12noon and 12.30pm (for dayshifts 9am-4pm) and evening break 5pm-5.30pm (for late shifts 12.30pm-7.30pm).
Click to view Health & Social Care Staff COVID and Flu Vaccination Clinics
NoS PGDs
Current Patient Group Direction and Protocols can be viewed at: NoS PGDs
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- LAST REVIEWED ON: February 14, 2024