NHS Orkney Vaccination Programme
LATEST UPDATES - October 2024
Winter Vaccination Programme
The NHS winter vaccine programme in Scotland has started.
Viruses like flu and COVID-19 spread more easily during the colder months as we spend more time indoors with others. That’s why those most at risk of getting seriously ill are being offered the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. It's important those eligible take up the offer of vaccination to get the best protection this winter.
Why get vaccinated?
Having the COVID-19 vaccine is an effective way to reduce chances of hospitalisation by around 50%. Getting the flu vaccine helps prevent serious illness from flu and passing it to others.
Find out if you’re eligible and book an appointment
For more information about who is being offered the flu and COVID-19 vaccines or to book an appointment, visit nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines.
Need help?
For additional help or assistance, you can call the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be offered to those eligible between September and December. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive a letter, SMS or email with appointment details or information about how to book one. You may receive information about your appointment at a different time than previous years.
Please do not try to book an appointment until you’ve been invited by NHSScotland.
For more information about the vaccine and eligibility, please visit: www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines and https://www.nhsinform.scot/flu
Please wait to be contacted.
Vaccination will be offered to those at high risk of serious illness from flu and COVID-19. If you’re eligible, you’ll be contacted with information about your appointment.
Please note the local Vaccination Service has moved within The Balfour. Please make sure you check in for your appointment at Central Reception and they will direct you where to go.
RSV Vaccination Programme
RSV is a common and highly infectious respiratory virus that affects the breathing system. It generally causes mild illness with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, fever, or decrease in appetite. Most people recover after 2 to 3 weeks, but RSV can affect the lower airways in some people and cause severe illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, leading to complications and hospitalisation.
Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), PHS has been working with the Scottish Government and NHS boards to develop plans for the roll out of Scotland’s RSV vaccination programme to protect newborns, infants and older adults.
- Appointments will start during August 2024. Those turning 75 years old on and between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025 will be the first to receive invitations. The vaccine will also be offered to anyone who is aged 75 to 79 years old on 1 August 2024 as part of ‘catch up’ programme, as the RSV vaccine is new to Scotland and this group could not be given the vaccine before now.
- Also starting from August, pregnant women will be offered the vaccine during discussions with their midwife from 28 weeks into their pregnancy. The timing of the vaccine offer will help protect their newborn babies from serious illness caused by an RSV infection.
For more information about the RSV Vaccination Programme visit: RSV vaccine for adults | NHS inform
Local arrangements
Pregnant women will be offered RSV immunisation from 28 weeks of their pregnancy, for those in Orkney their vaccine will be provided by the midwives and the Maternity Team will be in touch to arrange a time. The maternity team can be contacted on 01856 888238.
Individuals in Orkney that will be aged 75-79 years on 1 August 2024 will receive an appointment letter to be vaccinated by the NHS Orkney Vaccination Team. Stromness Surgery and ferry linked isles surgeries will provide this service to their patients. The Vaccination Team can be contacted on 0300 303 5313.
You can find out more on the link here.
Please note the local Vaccination Service has moved within The Balfour. Please make sure you check in for your appointment at Central Reception and they will direct you where to go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
- NHS Scotland will contact you by letter. Please wait to be contacted.
- If your appointment time, date or venue does not suit or you can no longer attend, please rearrange via the online booking portal at https://www.nhsinform.scot/springvaccine or if you don’t have online access call the National Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013. Please note that there may not be availability earlier than your original appointment and you may need to reschedule to a later date instead.
- To schedule/reschedule a spring vaccine appointment for a child 6 months to 11 years, please call the NHS Orkney Vaccination Team on 0300 303 5313.
- You can check eligibility and find trusted, accurate and reliable information that you need to make an informed choice for you or your child on NHS inform: nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/
- If you have not yet come forward for any COVID-19 vaccines or received a COVID-19 vaccination invitation letter, and you are 12 or over, you can register online for an appointment: Login - Customer Service (nhs.scot) . You need to be registered with a GP practice to use this service. If you aren't, you can phone the National vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013.
Baby Immunisations
The Kirkwall Vaccination Team will deliver this service, and it will primarily be delivered within The Balfour for all Heilendi and Skerryvore patients. A visiting service will be provided by the NHS Orkney Vaccination Team to both Daisy Villa Medical Practice and Dounby Surgery. Patients will be invited by letter.
If you have missed your appointment or have any other queries please call the Vaccination Team on 0300 303 5313.
Please note Stromness Surgery and ferry linked isles surgeries will provide this service to their patients
School Immunisations
The NHS Orkney Vaccination Team will deliver this service, and it will be delivered within the schools.
If you have missed your appointment or have any other queries please call the Vaccination Team on 0300 303 5313.
Please note ferry linked isles provide this service to their patients
Pneumococcal
If you have missed your appointment or have any other queries please call the Vaccination Team on 0300 303 5313.
Please note Stromness Surgery and ferry linked isles surgeries will provide this service to their patients
Shingles
Anyone in Orkney who is currently eligible for shingles vaccination has been invited. Letters to newly at risk patients are also sent throughout the year.
The NHS Orkney Vaccination Team delivers this service for the majority of Orkney residents and it is delivered within the Vaccination Service at The Balfour.
If you have missed your appointment or have any other queries please call the Vaccination Team on 0300 303 5313.
Please note Stromness Surgery and ferry linked isles surgeries provide this service to their patients.
You can also find out more via the link here.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Pregnant women will be offered RSV immunisation from 28 weeks of their pregnancy. Individuals in Orkney that will be aged 75-79 years on 1 August 2025 will receive an appointment letter to be vaccinated by the NHS Orkney Vaccination Team.
The Vaccination Team can be contacted on 0300 303 5313.
Please note that Stromness Surgery and ferry linked isles surgeries will provide this service to their patients.
You can also find out more via the link here.
Travel Vaccinations
Please access the link below to find out more about Travel Vaccinations.
Visit the Travel Vaccinations Page