Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership briefing:
People urged to act on calls to receive flu and COVID vaccinations
- Vaccinations against flu and COVID-19 for those eligible are getting underway
- People urged to help protect themselves and communities
- Call to ensure effective use of appointments
HEALTH officials are urging eligible people across the region to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 this autumn – as vaccinations remain one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you.
Valerie White, Director of Public Health at NHS Dumfries and Galloway, explains why this is so important.
She said: “Vaccines save lives and reduce serious illness, especially for the most vulnerable in our community.
“Dumfries and Galloway has always had high uptake rates for winter vaccination programmes and this is a credit to the people in our region and something we want to see continue.
“Viruses do change so annual vaccination is vital to protect people’s health over the winter period and this reduces demand on our health and social care services over what can be our busiest times.”
Eligibility for adult flu vaccination in Scotland this winter remains identical to winter 2024/25.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccinations are being offered to all adults aged 75 and above, residents of older adult care homes, and individuals aged 6 months and above who are immunosuppressed.
Full details are available on the NHS Inform website here.
People who are eligible for this year’s vaccination are receiving their invitations by text, email or post, in a white envelope with clear NHS Scotland branding. Invitations will continue to be sent out as the programme progresses through the autumn and winter.
If you are not able to attend your appointment you can reschedule via the online portal: www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines) national call centre 0800 030 8013 or the local call centre on 01387 403090
Rescheduling your appointment helps vaccination clinics run as efficiently as possible to ensure as many people as possible can be protected.
Valerie White, Director of Public Health, said: “Even if you can’t attend your scheduled appointment, letting us know means someone else who needs the vaccine can take your place.
“Vaccination is not only about individual protection – it helps build stronger, healthier communities by reducing the spread of diseases like flu and COVID. Look out for your invitation or book your appointment.”
NOTES:
A link to a new local video on flu and COVID vaccinations is as follows: https://youtu.be/zZENeqi6Jq8
All eligible people for flu and COVID will be offered a vaccine appointment or the ability to book one before 7th December
Vaccinations are delivered in line with Scottish Government Policy and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice.
Child Flu eligibility
Eligibility for child flu vaccination remains identical to winter 2024/25 with vaccination in winter 2025/26 being offered to the following groups in Scotland:
• All children aged from 6 months to 18 years in clinical risk groups (if not eligible in accordance with bullets below)
• All children aged 2-5 years not yet at school (age as of 01/09/2025)
• All primary school children (primary one to primary seven)
• All secondary school pupils (years one to six)
Adult Flu eligibility
Eligibility for adult flu vaccination remains identical to winter 2024/25 with vaccination in winter 2025/26 being offered to the following groups in Scotland:
• All those living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities
• All those aged 65 years and over
• All those aged 18 years to under 65 years in defined risk groups.
• those experiencing homelessness
• those experiencing substance misuse
• asylum seekers living in Home Office hotel or B&B accommodation
• all prisoners within the Scottish prison estate
• pregnant women
• Frontline health and social care workers
• Non-frontline NHS workers
• Poultry workers and bird handlers
• Unpaid Carers and young Carers
• Household contacts of those with immunosuppression
COVID 19 Eligibility
Eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination has changed for winter 2025/26 compared to winter 2024/25. The following groups are being offered a COVID-19 vaccination in winter 2025/26. These individuals will also be eligible for flu vaccination:
• Residents in care homes for older adults
• All adults aged 75 years and over
• Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed
Communications Team
NHS Dumfries and Galloway