NHSGGC Spring Coronavirus (Covid-19) Vaccine 2024

This Spring Programme, the decision was made to invite the full cohort of eligible children and adults irrespective of whether they had engaged in previous COVID-19 vaccine programmes. 

This decision was based on reaching the widest number of eligible people and recognised that some time may have passed since they were last contacted.   

In spring 2024, the JCVI advises that a COVID-19 vaccine should be offered to:

• All those aged 75 years and over
• Residents in care homes for older adults
• Individuals aged 6 months and over who have a weakened immune system.

To be eligible this spring, an individual must turn 75 years of age on or before 30 June 2024. For infants in the programme, they must turn 6 months of age on or before 31 March 2024 to be eligible.

For note, carers and household contacts of the immunosuppressed have not been eligible for a spring vaccine in 2022, 2023 or 2024, therefore this is not a new policy.

A list of eligible health conditions is available on NHS Inform: www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccineconditions

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent information via letter, text or email about your appointment or how to book one. Please wait to be contacted. You’ll be able to book or rearrange an appointment online or by calling 0800 030 8013. If you need to book or reschedule an appointment for your child who is aged 11 or under, please call 0800 030 8013. It’s not possible to use the online booking portal for this age group. Step-by-step video guides are available to help with booking and rescheduling appointments, as well as updating your communications preference and retrieving your booking information. These will be available at NHS Inform from 1st April.

Please note that the COVID-19 spring vaccine for children aged 6 months to 11 years at higher risk leaflet in A4 format is now live on phs.scot at:
https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/covid-19-spring-vaccine-2024-for-children-aged-6-months-to-11-years-a4-format/

If you’re eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine this spring, you can visit a drop-in clinic to receive it without an appointment. You may have to wait to receive your vaccination if the clinic is busy.

Mobile Vaccination Bus

The Mobile Vaccination Bus is a drop in service.  This means that there may be busy times and you may have to wait.  The mobile clinic can only accommodate 4 vaccinators and a limited supply of vaccine.  Please be patient.  You may wish to book an appointment at one of our Vaccination Centres instead.  You can do this by going to the online booking portal or by calling the National Contact Centre on 0800 030 8013.

The Mobile Vaccination Bus service will offer the following vaccinations:

1. Getting vaccinated is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself against COVID-19 circulating this spring.
2. Even if you had a COVID-19 vaccine in the winter, it’s important to get another dose this spring to help maintain your protection.
3. Optimum protection from the COVID-19 vaccines is derived during the first 3 months after vaccination. Protection from the vaccines does not stop after 3 months, but slowly it does start to fade.

Attending your appointment

There is no requirement to wear a mask when attending our vaccination clinics. If you have a weakened immune system and prefer to wear a mask you can choose to do this.

How do I reschedule my appointment?

Please reschedule via Booking Portal or call 0800 030 8013 during the hours of Mon to Fri 9.00am to 6.00pm or Sat 09.00am to 1.00pm

You no longer need to wait for a specific amount of time after confirmed coronavirus infection to have your vaccine. However, if you’re unwell, wait until you’ve recovered to have your vaccine. You should not attend an appointment if you have a fever or think you might be infectious to others.

If you are unable to attend or cannot get to this location, you can change your appointment online at:

NHS Inform – Invitations and Appointments webpage

Or you can call the helpline number to rearrange your appointment Mon to Fri 9.00am to 6.00pm on 0800 030 8013 or Sat 9.00am to 1.00pm

Please note this number is for rescheduling appointments only.

Support is available in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde if you:

• require an interpreter at your vaccination appointment
• need help finding transport to your vaccination appointment

General help with planning your public transport journey is available on the Traveline Scotland website or by phoning 0141 465 1878 (open 24 hours).

If you’re unable to leave your home (due to your mobility or physical ability or mental health condition) or if you need additional support at your appointment (for example, someone to support you when you arrive or a private space to be vaccinated), phone the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013 and your request will be sent to your local health board.

Your local Health and Social Care Team will be in touch with your nursing home to arrange to visit and deliver vaccinations to all those eligible.

Like all medicines, the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines can cause side effects. It’s normal to experience side effects after a vaccine. It shows the vaccine is teaching your body’s immune system how to protect itself from the disease. Not everyone gets side effects. Most side effects are mild and normally last only a day or two.

Side effects of coronavirus vaccination

Very common side effects in the first day or two include:

• having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection
• feeling tired
• headache, aches and chills

If you feel uncomfortable, you can rest and take paracetamol. Make sure you take paracetamol as directed on the label or leaflet. Remember, do not take medicines that contain aspirin if you’re under 16 years of age.

If your side effects seem to get worse or if you’re concerned, phone NHS 24 free on 111. Tell them about your vaccination so that they can assess you properly.

For those individuals who declined their vaccination initially or missed their appointment and now wish to be vaccinated, please contact the national helpline on 0800 030 8013 or register online at the NHS Inform vaccine registration portal.

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 coronavirus and flu vaccines by email or SMS then you will no longer receive future letters with this information.