General Vaccinations

Overview

The pneumococcal vaccine provides some protection against illnesses caused by pneumococcal bacteria.

What are pneumococcal bacteria?

Pneumococcal bacteria cause pneumococcal infection. They can cause serious illnesses like pneumonia and bacterial meningitis. They can also cause other conditions like severe ear infections.

Some adults carry pneumococcal bacteria in the back of their nose and throat. They can pass bacteria on by coughing, sneezing, and close contact.

Exposure to pneumococcal bacteria doesn’t normally result in serious illness. But, sometimes it leads to pneumococcal infections.

You have a higher chance of becoming unwell with a pneumococcal infection if:

• you’re aged 65 or over
• you’re under 65 and have certain health conditions

People aged 65 or over are more likely to suffer serious long-term health problems from pneumococcal infection. These health problems can lead to death.

What is pneumococcal disease and why do we need a vaccine?

Dr Andrew Prendergast explains why it’s important to vaccinate against pneumococcal disease.

Why should I be vaccinated?

The pneumococcal vaccine provides some protection against the serious conditions caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These conditions include:

• one of the most common types of meningitis
• severe ear infections
• pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria

This vaccine doesn’t protect against meningitis or pneumonia caused by other bacteria or viruses.

Who is eligible for the vaccine?

The pneumococcal vaccine is available in Scotland for all people aged 65 and over.

Some people under 65 are also eligible for the vaccine if they have certain health conditions, or are at high risk of exposure because of their job. You may be at risk if you have:

Asplenia or problems with the spleen

This includes conditions that can lead to problems with the spleen, like homozygous sickle cell disease or coeliac syndrome.

Read more about vaccinations for those with problems with their spleen (asplenia)

Chronic respiratory disease

This includes:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• chronic bronchitis
• emphysema
• bronchiectasis
• cystic fibrosis
• interstitial lung fibrosis
• pneumoconiosis
• bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• asthma, if it’s so severe that you need constant or repeated use of systemic steroids

Chronic heart disease

This includes conditions like:

• ischaemic heart disease
• congenital heart disease
• hypertension  with cardiac complications
• chronic heart failure

Chronic liver disease

This can include:

• cirrhosis
• biliary atresia
• chronic hepatitis

Chronic kidney disease

This can include:

• nephrotic syndrome
• chronic kidney disease  at stages 4 and 5
• those on kidney dialysis
• those who’ve had a kidney transplant

Diabetes

If you’ve diabetes and use insulin or anti-diabetic medication, you’re eligible for extra pneumococcal vaccinations.

If your diabetes is controlled by diet and you’re under 65 years old, you’re not eligible for extra pneumococcal vaccination.

If you’re over 65 years old, you’re eligible for your pneumococcal vaccination regardless of how your diabetes is controlled.

Immunosuppression

People who are immunosuppressed may be offered extra pneumococcal vaccines. These people include patients who:

• are having chemotherapy
• have had a bone marrow transplant
• have asplenia or problems with their spleen
• have complement disorder
• have HIV infection (at any stage)
• have multiple myeloma
• have a genetic disorder that affects the immune system, like IRAK-4 or NEMO
• are on or are likely to be on a high dose of systemic steroids for more than a month

Cochlear implants

Individuals with cochlear implants are eligible for extra pneumococcal vaccinations

Cerebrospinal fluid leak

If you have leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from trauma or major skull surgery, you may be eligible for extra pneumococcal vaccinations.

This does not include leakage from CSF shunts, which deliberately drain excess fluid from the brain to another part of the body.

Occupational risk

Research has found a link between exposure to metal fumes and pneumonia.

If your job involves frequent or constant exposure to metal fumes, you may be considered at risk. This would make you eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine. An example of an at risk occupation would be a welder.

How do I get my pneumococcal vaccination?

You do not need to arrange your appointment. You’ll be contacted by your local NHS immunisation team when you’re eligible to be immunised.  They’ll tell you:

• the date and time of your appointment
• where your appointment will be

They’ll contact you by sending an invitation to your home address. This is the address that is registered with your GP.

You can be invited for the vaccine at any time of the year.

Who is eligible for the shingles vaccine?

Your local NHS immunisation team will contact you when you’re eligible to get the vaccine. This will be from January 2024 onwards. Please wait to be contacted. Eligibility for the shingles vaccine depends on what age you were on 1 September 2023.

If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, you can use the age eligibility calculator to check.

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.

People who have a severely weakened immune system are also at higher risk of getting shingles and experiencing further complications from it.

Every year in Scotland, around 400 people aged 70 and over will be hospitalised due to shingles and related complications. 

The shingles vaccine helps to build up your immunity to the virus. This means, if you do get shingles, your body will fight it off more easily.

Getting the vaccine will:

• reduce your risk of developing shingles by over 70%
• reduce your risk of experiencing long-term pain from shingles
• reduce your risk of being hospitalised with complications from shingles

What is shingles?

Shingles is caused by a virus called varicella zoster. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. When you recover from chickenpox most of this virus is destroyed, but some of the virus survives and lies inactive in your body’s nervous system.

The virus can then become active again later in life. This normally happens when your immune system has been weakened by:

• age
• stress
• illness
• certain treatments that can reduce your immunity

The shingles vaccine helps to protect you by boosting your immunity.

More about the symptoms of shingles

Do I need the shingles vaccine if I’ve never had chickenpox?

Yes. The chances are that you may have had chickenpox at some point without knowing it. Some people have chickenpox without displaying any of the typical chickenpox symptoms.

Do I need the shingles vaccine if I’ve had shingles before?

Yes. Even if you’ve already had shingles, you should still get it again. The vaccine will reduce your risk of getting shingles again.

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.

Are there any reasons I shouldn’t have the shingles vaccine?

You shouldn’t have the shingles vaccine if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to:

• any of the ingredients in the vaccine
• a previous dose of the chickenpox vaccine

Is the shingles vaccine a live vaccine?

No, the shingles vaccine is not a live vaccine. It cannot cause shingles.

How many doses of the vaccine do I need?

You need to have 2 doses of the shingles vaccine for it to be effective.

You’ll be offered your second dose 2 to 12 months after your first dose.

How do we know the vaccine is safe?

The shingles vaccination programme was introduced in Scotland in 2013.

All medicines (including vaccines) are tested for safety and effectiveness. The vaccine meets the high safety standards required for it to be used in the UK and other European countries. The vaccine has been given to millions of people worldwide.

Once they’re in use, the safety of vaccines continues to be monitored.

Read more about how we know vaccines are safe

We’re interested in hearing from:

• people who are eligible for the RSV vaccine (regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not).
  • The patient survey can be accessed at: https://surveys.publichealthscotland.scot/126716

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine helps to protect people from RSV.

RSV is a common respiratory (lungs and airways) illness. RSV infection is more common from late autumn to early spring, but can happen at any time of year.

Sometimes, RSV infection can cause severe lower respiratory infections like pneumonia. It can also cause other life-threatening conditions.

Last year in Scotland, there were over 1,000 RSV cases in adults aged 75 and over.

The vaccine helps protect you by reducing your chances of getting an RSV infection.

Who can get the RSV vaccine

If you’re turning 75 years old between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025, you’ll be offered the RSV vaccine. This includes if your 75th birthday is on 1 August 2024 or 31 July 2025.

The vaccine will also be offered to anyone who is aged 75 to 79 years on 1 August 2024. This means you can get the vaccine if your date of birth is between 2 August 1944 and 31 July 1950. This is because the RSV vaccine is new to Scotland, and this group could not be given the vaccine before now.

In future years, the vaccine will be routinely offered to those turning 75 years old between 1 August and 31 July.

Getting the RSV vaccine is the best way to protect yourself against infections caused by RSV.

About the RSV vaccine

The Abrysvo vaccine is offered to protect against RSV in Scotland. It’s usually given as an injection in your upper arm.

You may be able to get the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines (like shingles or pneumococcal). You can discuss this with the person giving you the vaccine. Because RSV infections often happen earlier in the year, this vaccine will be offered in August and September. You’ll be offered a different appointment later in the year to get your flu vaccine.

The Abrysvo vaccine is not a live vaccine. It does not cause RSV infection.

Read more about vaccines for older adults

There are very few people who cannot have the RSV vaccine.

The vaccine should not be given to people who have had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to:

• ny of the vaccine ingredients
• a previous dose of the same vaccine

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

It’s important to tell the person giving you the vaccine if you:

• have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to anything
• are receiving medicines, treatment or therapy at a hospital or specialist clinic

How to get the RSV vaccine

You’ll be contacted by your local NHS immunisation team when it’s time to get the vaccine. Most immunisation teams will begin inviting patients from August 2024 onwards.

If you’re ill on the day of your appointment

Reschedule 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.

To reschedule your appointment, phone the number on your invitation letter. If you’ve lost your invitation letter, contact your local NHS immunisation team.

Side effects of the RSV vaccine

After having the vaccine you may have some side effects. These are usually mild and disappear within a few days.

Around the injection site you might experience:

• pain
• redness
• swelling

Where can I report side effects?

You can report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card Scheme.

This can be done:

• via their website
• through the Yellow Card Scheme app
• by phoning 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)

Flu vaccine

Influenza (flu) is an infectious virus and can be serious. Symptoms may include a fever, a cough, a headache and tiredness. The virus spreads through the air when people cough or sneeze, or when they touch surfaces where the virus has landed then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. You can catch flu all year round, but it’s especially common in winter. It can be serious, even if you’re healthy.

The flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to help protect against flu. It’ll also help reduce the risk of spreading flu to others.

The flu vaccine is available between September and March.

Why should I get vaccinated?

The flu vaccine has a good safety record. It gives the best protection against flu. It’s offered every year for free by the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu and its complications.

The vaccine helps protect against the main types of flu viruses. But there’s still a chance you might get flu after having the vaccine. If you do get flu, it’s likely to be milder and not last as long if you’ve received the flu vaccine.

Having the flu vaccine can also stop you spreading flu to other people who may be more at risk of complications and serious illness if they catch flu.

You have to get immunised every year because flu viruses change constantly and your immunity reduces over time.

The flu vaccine can’t give you flu, but it can stop you catching it.

Vaccine safety

All medicines (including vaccines) are tested for safety and effectiveness before they’re allowed to be used.

Once they’re in use, the safety of vaccines continues to be monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).