Eligible Groups
The Flu & COVID-19 vaccinations are being rolled out across Scotland. For those individuals who qualify for a flu & COVID vaccine, both vaccinations will be given at the same appointment. When offered the vaccines please take them.
Check below to see the groups eligible for a free flu vaccine.
What if I’m not in one of the eligible groups?
If you are not in one of the eligible groups for the free flu immunisation, you can get the vaccine in many high street pharmacies for a small fee.
Care Home Residents and Staff
From the 5th September, local health board staff will be rolling out vaccinations within Care Homes. Care home managers will be contacted directly to arrange vaccinations for all residents and staff. For any workers who miss vaccination on site, you can go online to book your appointment or contact National Call Centre on 0800 030 8013.
If you are also entitled to a COVID-19 Vaccination, this will be given at the same time.
Health and Social Care Workers
All staff can book an appointment on the national online portal or call the National Call Centre on 0800 030 8013.
Flu vaccination information for Healthcare workers
Flu vaccination information for Social Care workers
If you are also entitled to a COVID-19 Vaccination, this will be given at the same time.
Non Frontline Staff
Non- frontline staff can attend their local community pharmacies to receive their Flu vaccination. Please click here to see participating pharmacies, you should bring your work ID with you to your vaccination.
Please note the COVID-19 vaccination is not currently available at community pharmacies.
Independent NHS contractors, (GP, dental and optometry practices, community pharmacists)
Who can get the Flu Vaccination?
- All NHS Grampian staff
- Other staff who are eligible include: GPs, dentists, pharmacists, healthcare students, Practitioner Services, Scottish Ambulance Service and Blood Transfusion Service
Where can you get the Flu Vaccination?
Flu vaccinations will be available through:
- Peer Vaccination
- Book via national online portal or call the National Call Centre on 0800 030 8013
All those 65 years of age and over
Adults aged 16 to 49 years in an at-risk group
You will receive a letter with an appointment offering covaccination for COVID-19 vaccination and flu vaccination. If your date or time is unsuitable, you can go online to reschedule your appointment or contact National Call Centre on 0800 030 8013. Details are also available on your appointment letter.
Conditions and diseases which can make flu more dangerous include:
- asthma
- stroke
- bronchitis
- liver problems such as cirrhosis/hepatitis
- emphysema
- diabetes
- cystic fibrosis
- asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
- chronic heart disease
- being very overweight
- chronic kidney failure
- HIV infection.
Anyone undergoing chemotherapy treatment or on medication that reduces their immunity is at higher risk and should also get immunised.
All those 50 to 64 years of age
You will receive a letter inviting you to book your appointment. Booking details will be provided in your letter.
If you are also entitled to a COVID-19 Vaccination, this will be given at the same time.
Those aged 6 months to 15 years who have certain underlying health condition
You will receive a letter with an appointment. If your date or time is unsuitable, you can go online to reschedule your appointment or contact National Call Centre on 0800 030 8013. Details are also available on your appointment letter.
The flu vaccine for children may be an injectable vaccine or the nasal spray, some children may require 2 doses if it is their first flu vaccination.
Conditions and diseases which can make flu more dangerous include:
- asthma
- stroke
- bronchitis
- liver problems such as cirrhosis/hepatitis
- emphysema
- diabetes
- cystic fibrosis
- asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
- chronic heart disease
- being very overweight
- chronic kidney failure
- HIV infection.
You may be eligible to have the vaccine as a nasal spray. For more information visit the NHS Inform child flu page.
Severely Immunosuppressed Patients
You will receive a letter with an appointment offering covaccination for COVID-19 vaccination and flu vaccination. If your date or time is unsuitable, you can go online to reschedule your appointment or contact National Call Centre on 0800 030 8013. Details are also available on your appointment letter.
Household contact of severely immunosuppressed
Household contacts of severely immunosuppressed patients are eligible for free flu vaccination this year.
You can go online to book your appointment or contact National Call Centre on 0800 030 8013.
If you are also entitled to a COVID-19 Vaccination, this will be given at the same time.
Unpaid and Young Carers
If you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person, who may be put at risk if you became ill, you will be eligible for a free flu jab
How to book an appointment
You may be asked to self register online similar to the way you were invited for COVID-19 vaccination. An appointment will then be made for you at a local vaccination centre or you can call the National Call Centre on 0800 030 8013.
If you are also entitled to a COVID-19 Vaccination, this will be given at the same time.
5 - 18 years old children in a school setting
Primary and Secondary age school children – Flu programme
All children receive their flu vaccination at school. Look out for a letter, leaflets and consent form coming home from school.
Children who are home educated will also be offered the vaccine, provided they’re in an eligible age group.
Primary and Secondary School pupils – Missed Appointments
If your child has missed their appointment, they can visit a participating community pharmacy to receive their Flu vaccination. Please click here to see locations.
2 - 5 year old pre-school children
Parents and guardians will receive a letter with an appointment to attend one of our vaccination centres across Grampian to receive their flu vaccination.
If your appointment is not suitable call the NHS Grampian flu helplines on:
Aberdeenshire 0330 128 9919
Aberdeen City 0800 030 4713
Moray 0345 337 9899
Teachers, nursery teachers and support staff in close contact with pupils
You will receive your flu vaccination at school as part of the school flu programme.
Missed Vaccination
If you miss your flu vaccination at school, you can go online or contact the National Call Centre on 0800 030 8013 to book an appointment. You can also visit a participating community pharmacy. Please click here to see locations.
Those who are pregnant
The Royal College of Midwives along with Scotland’s Chief Medical and Chief Nursing Officers recommend that all pregnant women should have the free flu vaccine, even if you’ve had it before or this isn’t your first baby.
How to book an appointment
Pregnancy vaccination is provided by community midwives in the Grampian area. Your community midwife will arrange your vaccination at the appropriate ante natal appointment.
If you are also entitled to a COVID-19 Vaccination, this will be given at the same time.
Prison staff and support staff in close contact with the prison population (delivering direct detention services)
You will be offered your vaccine on site.
If you are also entitled to a COVID-19 Vaccination, this will be given at the same time.
Your Questions Answered
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the COVID-19 or Flu vaccine, please visit our FAQs page
Local Vaccination Clinics and Travel
Please click here for more information on our Vaccination Clinics and how to get there.
Please note, GP practices are no longer responsible for vaccinations. Do not call your GP as they will not be able to make an appointment for you.
Contact
Scottish Vaccination Helpline
The centre is open from 8.00am to 8.00pm each day.
NHS Inform have set up a free helpline, 0800 030 8013, to help with:
- Book or amend an appointment
- Any general advice on coronavirus or the flu vaccine
If you need help with your COVID vaccination status, please call 0808 196 8565 between 10am and 6pm.