General Vaccinations

The pneumococcal vaccine is the best way to help protect yourself against the diseases and conditions caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These conditions include: one of the most common types of meningitis, severe ear infections and pneumonia.

Those aged 65 or over or under 65 and have certain health conditions have a higher chance of becoming unwell with pneumococcal infection.

Therefore, we strongly encourage those eligible to take up the vaccination offer when it comes.

For more information about the pneumococcal vaccine and the diseases and conditions it protects against visit NHS Inform.

From 1^st September 2023 the following groups became eligible for a free Shingles vaccination in Scotland:

• People aged 50 or over, about to start immunosuppressive therapy.
• People aged 50 or over, with a severely weakened immune system.
• People aged 71 – 79 who have not previously been vaccinated.
• People aged 18 or over who have received a stem cell transplant.
• People aged 18 or over who have had CAR-T therapy.
• People who were aged 65 or 70 on 1^st September.

If you’re unsure if you’re eligible, you can use the age eligibility calculator on www.nhsinform.scot/shingles to confirm.

In time, the offer will expand to those turning both 60 and 65 years old with the vaccine will be routinely offered to everyone aged 60 and over.

If you are currently aged 66 to 69 years, you won’t be eligible for the vaccine until you turn 70.
People aged 66 – 69 on 1^st September 2023 became eligible for vaccination from 1^st September after their 70^th birthday.

Rationale

It is recognised that some people may be disappointed that they are not yet included in the age group to be offered a shingles vaccine this year.

When any vaccination programme is introduced or extended, recommendations are made about who will be offered the vaccine and when they will be invited to come forward. These decisions are based on a combination of factors including the risk of the disease and the effectiveness of the vaccine in different age groups.

This phased approach is based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and to ensure that NHS Scotland can deliver the programme effectively alongside other immunisation programmes.

Why should I have the shingles vaccine?

Shingles can be very painful and is more common among older people. The older you are, the worse it can be. For some, the pain caused by shingles can last for many years.

Immunisation (vaccination) information in other languages and formats

I have turned 65yrs already or you are aged 66-69 years – Why am I not eligible for the vaccine this year?

If you turned 65 years before 31st August 2023 you will be called when you turn age 70 years.  As the lowering of the age range is a new development in the programme all Health Boards across Scotland follow the Guidance issued by the Joint Committee on Immunisation and decisions are based on a combination of factors including the risk of disease and the effectiveness of the vaccine in different age groups.

What vaccine will be offered?

From September 2023, the Shingrix vaccine will be used in Scotland.

You can view the vaccine ingredients in the Shingrix patient information leaflet.

How do I get the shingles vaccine?

You’ll be contacted by your local health board when you’re eligible to be immunised. You can get the vaccine at any time of the year.

Find out how to contact your health board regarding your vaccination appointment

Can the shingles vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?

Speak to a healthcare professional about getting other vaccines at the same time. They’ll advise what’s best for you.

What are the side effects of this vaccine?

Side effects are usually quite mild and don’t last very long.

Around the injection site you might experience:

• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling.

You may also experience:

• Muscle pain
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Chills
• A fever
• A general unwell feeling
• A headache
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Stomach pain.

Non-urgent advice

Contact your GP practice if you have side effects that last for more than a few days.

Flu vaccination (Winter)

• During pregnancy women are offered seasonal flu vaccine (Sept to March).

Whooping cough (Pertussis)

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs and airways. It causes repeated coughing bouts that can last for two to three months or more. It can make babies and young children very ill, including causing serious breathing issues, leading to pneumonia and hospitalisation. In rare cases whooping cough can be fatal.

When should you get your vaccine?

Scotland is currently experiencing a rapid rise in cases of whooping cough, with many more cases than we would normally expect. This vaccination is to maximise protection for you and your newborn baby. If you are not vaccinated while pregnant, your baby will be vulnerable to whooping cough (pertussis) at birth as they won’t be able to be vaccinated against it themselves until they are eight weeks old.

Acting now will give them the protection they need from whopping cough when they are born.

The ideal time for you to have the vaccine is between weeks 16 and 32, but the sooner you get it the better. This means there is more time for your body to make antibodies and for these to be passed to your baby. You may still have the vaccine after you’re 32 weeks pregnant, but protection is at its best when given prior to then.

Even if you have had the vaccine in a previous previously, you will need to have this again during pregnancy to transfer the protection onto your baby.

How to arrange your vaccine

Your midwife will explain the local arrangements for the vaccination at your booking visit. They will be able to advise you on how to arrange your appointment. If you didn’t get your vaccine appointment after our first midwife appointment, then please contact your midwife who will be able to help.

This vaccination is safe to receive while pregnant and is given as a combined vaccination that also protects against diphtheria, tetanus as well as whooping cough.

What are the whooping cough symptoms?

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, causes long bouts of coughing. Symptoms to look out for include:

• cold symptoms, such as runny nose, red and watery eyes, sore throat and slightly raised temperature
• intense coughing bouts starting about a week later
• coughing up thick mucus, which may be followed by vomiting
• gasping for breath between coughs, which may cause a ‘whoop’ sound – although not everyone has this.

For more information about vaccines in pregnancy, visit NHS Inform: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/immunisation/when-to-immunise/pregnancy-and-baby/

Key Messages for Parents and Carers

• Parents are urged to get their child vaccinated against whooping cough as soon as it is offered. Vaccines are offered to babies at around 2,3 and 4 months old and then again at 3 years and 4 months.
• Check your child’s Red Book to make sure they’ve received all doses they’re eligible for.
• If you’re not sure, contact your local NHS Immunisation Team at www.nhsinform.scot/gettingvaccinations or by calling 0800 22 4488.

Change to the maternal pertussis vaccination programme from 1 July 2024

• The pertussis vaccine is offered to pregnant women to help protect their baby against pertussis (also known as whooping cough). 
• The whooping cough vaccine was previously offered as a four-in-one vaccine, as there’s no single vaccine available, and this included protection against whooping cough, diptheria, tetanus and polio.
  • It is standard international practice to offer combined vaccines to pregnant women.
• From 1 July 2024, the whooping cough vaccine will be offered as a three-in-one vaccine, as polio will no longer be included.
• This change is a result of latest evidence that shows children are better protected from polio when receiving the vaccine during their routine childhood immunisations,  which is given as part of the combined six-in-one vaccination protecting against diptheria, tetanus, polio, Hib and HepB from 8 weeks old.
• The likelihood of contracting polio in the UK is very low. The last case of polio acquired in the UK was in 1984.

Getting vaccinated

• An increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases is being seen across the UK and Europe.
  • Cases of whooping cough have been increasing in Scotland since late 2023.
  • Cases of whooping cough are likely to increase/circulate at high levels into the autumn.
  • Cases are currently being reported on a weekly basis (every Thursday at 09:30) on the PHS website
• Whooping cough activity regularly peaks every 3 to 5 years.
• All pregnant women are eligible for the whooping cough vaccine from week 16 of their pregnancy.
• The ideal time to have the vaccine is between weeks 16 and 32 as this allows enough time for your body to make antibodies that are then passed to your baby. 
• The vaccine can still be given after 32 weeks, but it won’t offer your baby the same level of protection.
• Getting immunised during pregnancy will help protect your baby in the first few vulnerable weeks of life until they’re old enough to have the routine immunisation at 8 weeks of age (given as part of the ‘6-in-1’ vaccine).
• There is no other way to protect your baby from whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life, when they are too young to get vaccinated and are at greatest risk.
• Young babies with whooping cough often become very unwell and most will be admitted to hospital – if particularly severe, they can die.
• Pregnant women can help protect their babies by getting vaccinated. The protection you receive from vaccination will also lower your own risk of whooping cough infection and the risk of passing whooping cough to your baby.
• The whooping cough vaccine is recommended every time you’re pregnant, even if you’ve had the vaccine before.
• Pregnant women are encouraged to speak to their midwife as soon as possible about getting their whooping cough vaccination.
• For more information about vaccines in pregnancy, visit NHS Inform: www.nhsinform.scot/pregnancyandbabyvaccines

Safety of the whooping cough vaccine

• Immunising pregnant women is effective at reducing the number of babies getting whooping cough. The four-in-one vaccine has been routinely offered to pregnant women in Scotland since 2012.
• The whooping cough vaccine is not a live vaccine and it cannot cause whooping cough in women or their babies.
• The whooping cough vaccine has been used extensively in pregnant women in the UK since October 2012, and a MHRA’s study of around 20,000 vaccinated women published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found no safety concerns.
• The vaccine is around 92% effective in preventing serious illness and death from whooping cough in infants.
• A UKHSA review of vaccination in pregnancy to prevent whooping cough in early infancy, published in 2018, found safety studies covering more than 150,000 vaccinated women provide reassurance of no increased risk of problems in mothers or babies.
• The new three-in-one whooping cough vaccine is not suitable for women with a severe allergy to latex and the previously used four-in-one vaccine will be offered in its place.
  • The tip caps of the prefilled Adacel vaccine contain a natural rubber latex derivative, which may cause allergic reactions in individuals with a severe allergy to latex.

More information on how you can catch Monkeypox and the symptoms of Monkeypox can be found on NHS Inform:

• Mpox (monkeypox) | NHS inform 
• Mpox Information

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.

You may also require a vaccine as you missed some vaccines during childhood. Your GP or Consultant will refer you for any vaccinations required. The Vaccination Service will arrange for the vaccines required and contact you with an appointment. We will do this on receipt of your referral.

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 our contact centre will be in touch with an appointment.